In the reaction CH_3COOH + H_2O rightleftharpoons CH_3COO^(-) + H_2O, what is a conjugate acid-base pair?

1 Answer
Apr 24, 2018

CH_3COOH and CH_3COO^-
H_2O and H_3O^+

Explanation:

So

the CH_3COOH is a acid

the CH_3COOH lost the hydrogen on the end so its the acid by the Bronsted Lowry Definition of acids

the CH_3COO^- is the conjugate base as in the reverse reaction, it would have to pick up H^+ to form acetic acid again

The H_2O is an base (on the left), as it accepts the hydrogen ion that the acetic acid lost
(on the right side, it should be a H_3O^+ instead)
The H_3O^+ is a conjugate acid, as it would have to lose the H^+ to revert to H_2O

:)