Given the following acids and K_a values: What is the order of increasing base strength? A)CN^-,F^-,OAc^-,ClO₄^- B)CN^-,OAc^-,F^-,ClO₄^- C)CN^-,ClO₄^-,F^-,OAc^- D)ClO₄^-,OAc^-,CN^-,F^- E)ClO₄^-,F^-,OAc^-,CN^-

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The strength of a base is inversely related to the strength of its conjugate acid. The lower the pKa (or the higher the Ka) of the acid, the stronger the acid, and thus, the weaker its conjugate base. Given the pKa values, HClO has the highest pKa, making ClO- the weakest base, followed by HF, HOAc, and HCN, making CN- the strongest base among the given options.

Given the Following Acids and Ka Values

Given the Following Acids and K_a Values