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Pyridine is a weak base that is used in the manufacture of pesticides and plasti

ID: 811833 • Letter: P

Question

Pyridine is a weak base that is used in the manufacture of pesticides and plastic resins. It is also a component of cigarette smoke. Pyridine ionizes in water as follows:

C5H5N+H2O?C5H5NH++OH?

The pKb of pyridine is 8.75. What is the pH of a 0.140M solution of pyridine?

Express the pH numerically to two decimal places.

Part B

Benzoic acid is a weak acid that has antimicrobial properties. Its sodium salt, sodium benzoate, is a preservative found in foods, medications, and personal hygiene products. Benzoic acid ionizes in water:

C6H5COOH?C6H5COO?+H+

The pKa of this reaction is 4.2. In a 0.72M solution of benzoic acid, what percentage of the molecules are ionized?

Express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units.

percent ionized=

Explanation / Answer

C5H5N+H2O<-----------------> C5H5NH++ OH-

0.14                                               0          0

0.14-x                                           x             x

Kb = [C5H5NH+][ OH- ]/[C5H5N]

   1.778 x10^-9 =x^2/0.14-x  

x= 1.577 x10^-5

[OH-]= x= 1.577 x10^-5

[H+]= 0.634 x 10^-9

pH= -log[H+]

     = -log(0.634 x 10^-9)

    =8.80

part B

C6H5COOH<--------------->C6H5COO- + H+

0.72                                         0               0

0.72-x                                     x               x

Ka= [C6H5COO-][ H+]/[C6H5COOH]

63 x10^-6 = x2/0.72-x

x = sqrt (ka/C)

    = 0.0093

= 0.93% ionised