What is the conjugate base of #"bicarbonate ion"#, #HCO_3^(-)#?

1 Answer
Mar 6, 2017

The conjugate base of #"bicarbonate ion, "HCO_3^-#, is #CO_3^(2-)#, #"carbonate ion.............."#

Explanation:

The conjugate base of any acid is the original acid LESS a proton, #H^+#. As always in these exercises, we CONSERVE mass and charge:

#HCO_3^(-) rarr H^(+) + CO_3^(2-)#

What are the conjugate bases of (i) #H_2PO_4^(-)#, and (ii) #HSO_4^-#? What are the conjugate acids of these species?