[Shaun1979]

My question is:


Classify each species as in the following reactions as an acid or a base, and connect each conjugate pair:

H3PO4 + OH --- H2PO4 + H2O
H2PO4 + OH --- HPO4 + H2O
HPO4 + OH --- PO4 + H2O

I think that the reactions are all bases, but I don't understand what is meant by "connect" each conjugate pair.

[Borek]

Classify each species

the reactions are all bases

First - it asks for species, not reactions.

Second - reaction can't be base, nor acid, nor water. Reaction can be neutralization, redox, complexation, hydrolysis, transesterifcation and so on.

[Shaun1979]

Thanks! I was confused by the question as it says "Classify each species in the following reaction AS AN ACID OR A BASE". This would indicate to me (someone who is clearly new to chemistry :-) ) that the question is indicating towards the answer being one or the other.

I get what you're saying about the reaction though.. makes sense ;-)

Is the answer that all 3 are conjugate bases?

By asking to "connect each conjugate pair". are they asking me to state the conjugate acid and base in the equation. My text book doesn't use the word "connect" for any of it's equations?

[Borek]

Thanks! I was confused by the question as it says "Classify each species in the following reaction AS AN ACID OR A BASE". This would indicate to me (someone who is clearly new to chemistry :-) ) that the question is indicating towards the answer being one or the other.

In each neutralisation reaction there is an acid, and a base. Your job is to find out which compund is which, for each reaction separately.

Is the answer that all 3 are conjugate bases?

You must be more specific. Some of the compounds are both acids and bases.

By asking to "connect each conjugate pair". are they asking me to state the conjugate acid and base in the equation

I would say yes.

Please don't ignore charges of species, they are very important.

[Shaun1979]

Thanks! Your help is much appreciated. I am studying chemistry through correspondence course, so it is difficult to get any feedback.

[AWK]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conjugate_acid