Question

Which of the following would most likely act as a Bronsted-Lowry acid? OH- HCN CCl4 Mg(OH)+

Answer 1

A Bronsted-Lowry acid donates a proton (a H^+); a Bronsted-Lowry base ACCEPTS a proton (a H^+). Just go through some reasoning. Since a H^+ is positive, I would think the OH^- would ACCEPT a proton so can't be OH^-. CCl4 has no charge nor protons so can't be. Mg(OH)^+, with a + charge isn't likely to accept another + charge so can't be. But HCN has a proton and it can get rid of that with HCN ==> H^+ + CN^-; therefore HCN can donate a proton. HCN is the acid; CN^- is the conjugate baser (because it can accept a proton to form HCN).

Answer 2

thanks! =)