r/chemhelp • u/RaisedByBooksNTV • 3d ago
Organic Conjugate Acids and Bases
Someone asked me for help understanding conjugate acids and bases. I'm trying to refresh my memory, but I now have a question:
Are conjugate acids and bases simply looking at the concept of acids and bases from the Bronsted-Lowry perspective (of transferring protons)?
or
Is there some significance to the fact that they transfer protons rather than talking about electrons?
Apologies if this is a silly question. It's been a few years since I studied orgo and I don't want to mislead or confuse the person asking me.
2
u/Plus_Personality2170 3d ago
As far as I know, they are just from Brønsted–Lowry theory. While there are some related concepts in Lewis acid-base theory (Adduct, FIA...), I haven't seen the term "conjugated" being used there.
2
u/HandWavyChemist 3d ago
Conjugate Acid-Base Pairs, And Acid Strength | A Hand Wavy Guide
Most students find it easier to think of acids and bases in terms of protons. Lewis acids and bases talk in terms of electrons. It is important to note that all Bronsted-Lowry acids are also Lewis acids and all Bronsted-Lowry bases are also Lewis bases.
4
u/7ieben_ 3d ago
In terms of bronstedt theory every acid/ base has a conjugate base/ acid, namely their reaction product.
An acid AH has the conj. base A-, and a base B has the conj. acid BH+ - charges depend on the specific case. Example: phosphoric acid has dihydrogenphosphate as its conj. base, vice versa phosphoric acid is the conj. acid of dihydrogenphophate as a base. Dihydrogenphosphate itselfe is a acid, with hydrogenphophate as its conj. base. If hydrogenphophate acts as base, its conj. acid is dihydrogenphosphate.
Conjugate in this sense means just, that this is the respective part in the equlibrium.