For the following compounds give the formulas of their corresponding conjugate acid and base:

H₂O, HCO₃^-, NH₃ and HO₂^-

Question

For the following compounds give the formulas of their corresponding conjugate acid and base:

H₂O, HCO₃^-, NH₃ and HO₂^-

| General Chemistry 2

Accepted Answer

They are amphoteric compounds: they can react both as an acid and as a base.

H₂O: H₃O⁺/H₂O and H₂O/HO^-

HCO₃^-: H₂CO₃/ HCO₃^- and HCO₃^-/CO₃^2-

NH₃: NH₄⁺/NH₃and NH₃/NH₂^-

HO₂^-: H₂O₂/ HO₂^- and HO₂^-/O₂^2-

Bronsted acid-base - 2 | Chemical Reactivity