Acid strength decreases in the series: HCl HSO₄^- HCN. Which of these species is the strongest base? A)CN^- B)SO₄^2- C)HCN D)Cl^-

Question

Acid strength decreases in the series: HCl > HSO₄^- > HCN. Which of these species is the strongest base? A)CN^- B)SO₄^2- C)HCN D)Cl^-

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The species with the highest basicity will have the weakest acidity. Among the given species, HCN is the weakest acid as it has a very strong triple bond between carbon and nitrogen. Therefore, it will not donate a proton readily. HSO₄^- and HCl have stronger acidity than HCN. Cl^- has a negative charge on chlorine which is a more electronegative atom than sulfur, so it is more stable than HSO₄^-, and hence the acidity of Cl^- will be weaker than HSO₄^-. Thus, the only remaining species is CN^-, which has the weakest acidity and hence the highest basicity.

Acid Strength Decreases in the Series: HCl > HSO4- >

Acid Strength Decreases in the Series: HCl > HSO₄^- >