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Let\'s consider the dissociation of phosphoric acid H3PO4. All possible protonat

ID: 938211 • Letter: L

Question

Let's consider the dissociation of phosphoric acid H3PO4. All possible protonation states, with H number from zero to three, must co-exist in equilibrium. H3PO4 <---> H2PO4 (-1) (pK1 = 2) <---> HPO4 (-2) (pK2 = 7) <---> PO4 (-3) (pK3 = 12) 8.6: Let's consider the dissociation of phosphoric acid HsPO4. All four possible protonation states, with H number from zero to three, must co-exist in equilibrium. Find relative populations of all four states at the pH of the human blood. 7.4.

Explanation / Answer

If: H3PO4 [1M]

Then, second state H2PO4-1:

pH = pKa - Log10([A-]/[HA])

7.4 = 2 - Log10([A-]/[1M])

7.4 - 2 = - Log10([A-]/[1M])

5.4 = -Log10([A-]/[1M])

10-5.4 = 10Log10([A-]/[1M])

10-5.4 = ([A-]/[1M])

10-5.4x [1M] = [H2PO4-1]

[3.98x10-6M] = [H2PO4-1]

Then, third state H1PO4-2:

pH = pKa - Log10([A-]/[HA])

7.4 = 7 - Log10([A-]/[1M])

7.4 - 7 = - Log10([A-]/[1M])

0.4 = -Log10([A-]/[1M])

10-0.4 = 10Log10([A-]/[1M])

10-0.4 = ([A-]/[1M])

10-0.4x [1M] = [H1PO4-2]

[0.398 M] = [H1PO4-2]

Then, four state PO4-3:

pH = pKa - Log10([A-]/[HA])

7.4 = 12 - Log10([A-]/[1M])

7.4 - 12 = - Log10([A-]/[1M])

(-4.6) = -Log10([A-]/[1M])

104.6 = 10Log10([A-]/[1M])

104.6 = ([A-]/[1M])

104.6x [1M] = [PO4-3]

[3.98x104 M] = [PO4-3]