strength of base

[Edward Suarez 1I]

what guildelines do we follow to determine the relative strength of bases? I know for acids, it would be amount of oxygen, strength of bond (weaker bond --> stronger acid), etc. but what about bases?

[Michael Torres 4I]

If something is a strong acid, then it will be a weaker base. Weaker acids will also be stronger bases.

[Edward Xie 2E]

I think strength of bond also factors in for bases. If the OH has a weaker bond to the metal, then it is a stronger base since the OH can more easily separate/dissociate.

[Edward Suarez 1I]

thanks for your responses!

[904837647]

The bond strengths of acids and bases are implied by the relative amounts of molecules and ions present in solution. Strong acids have mostly ions in solution and weak acids exist mostly as molecules with only a few ions in solution.

[805097738]

If something is a strong acid, then it will be a weaker base. Weaker acids will also be stronger bases.

how can acids be bases?

[Sydney Myers 4I]

If something is a strong acid, then it will be a weaker base. Weaker acids will also be stronger bases.

how can acids be bases?

I think that is referring to the equilibrium that acid-base reactions can reach. If something is a strong acid, then it is a weak conjugate base.

[Isha_Maniyar_Dis2E]

For halogen acids (H-X, where X is a halogen), the atomic radius of X will result in a stronger bond between H and X. This will weaken the acid because it won't dissociate as easily in water. As a result, it will be a weaker acid and a stronger base.

For oxyacids (H-O-X, where X is a group 5A, 6A, or 7A element), look at the electronegativity of X and the number of oxygens on the acid. If the electronegativity is higher, the bonded H is weaker because the electrons will go toward X. Therefore, it will dissociate more easily. This makes it a stronger acid. As a result, it will be a weaker base.

Hope this helped!

[ahuang]

Stronger acids would make weak bases because of its conjugate and vice versa.