Conjugate Acids and Bases

[Ruth Rosales 3D]

How do we determine the formula of the conjugate acid/base?

I know that they are two substances that differ by one proton, but sometimes when I calculate it based on this fact, I don't always get it right.

How can I fix this inconsistency?

[Edward Tang 1k]

When it's bronsted acid/base, they would differ by one proton. But in lewis/acid base reaction, like F- + BF3 = BF4-, no protons are involved so it's a bit hard to use that as guideline. Usually the conjugate pair would look very similar in chemistry so you just need to figure out which one is the acid/base and which is the conjugate, which are generally on the reactant and product side, respectively.

[Mirren Solomon Discussion 2G]

You have to make sure that you really know which substance is the acid and which is the base. Without knowing this for certain, you will not be able to add or subtract a proton accordingly.

[Anh Trinh 1J]

Hi! Conjugate acid-base pair are two compounds differing by one proton. In other words, when a Bronsted acid donates an H+, it becomes its conjugate base. When a Bronsted base accepts an H+, it becomes its conjugate acid.

[Joshua Swift]

For the conjugate acid you want to add a proton to the molecule. For the base, you want to take one away.

[Ashlen Bullock 1H]

The conjugate acid of a molecule has an extra proton because it gives one away. The conjugate base of a molecule has one less proton because it accepts one.