Identifying Weak Acids and Bases

[Namita Shyam 3G]

What are some easy ways to identify acids and bases? (For example, if we're given NH2NH2, how would we know that this is a base?). Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[Minahil_Tufail_3I]

Hi! For NH2NH2, you can determine it's a base because it has NH2 which is an amine group. Amines often signal that the compound is a base. For weak acids, look to see if it has COOH, otherwise known as a carboxyl group, as this indicates acidity.

[Namita Shyam 3G]

Thank you, that makes sense!! Also, how do you know if something like (CH3)3N is an amine? How can you tell (since it doesn't have NH2)?

[Minahil_Tufail_3I]

Of course! So, I looked it up to double check and the general idea of an amine group is that it contains a nitrogen atom with a lone pair of electrons. So for (CH3)3N, it is known as a tertiary amine group, but I highly doubt you'd have to know the specifics of that! Another easy way to figure out what is a weak acid vs base is to memorize the strong acids/bases. I think in most cases, a problem will offer some other information to help you figure out whether it's a weak base or acid as well.

[Namita Shyam 3G]

Thank you so much Minahil!! This was very helpful!! :D

[derickngo3d]

For strong acids, it's easiest to memorize the few strong acids, and assume all other acids are weak.
Hope this helps!