What is the stronger base, OH^- or CH30^-?
I've been told the answer is the conjugate base of methanol ion but i beg to differ. THe respective pKa's of water and methanol (the conjugate acids) are 15.7 and 15.5. This would imply that out of water and methanol, methanol is the stronger acid and hence, its conjugate base would be weaker than the hydroxide ion, not stronger. please clarify.
1 answer
I agree with you although I could not verify the 15.5 for pKa for CH3OH. I found 15.2; however, both 15.5 and 15.2 makes CH3OH a stronger acid than water at 15.7. I assume the 15+ quoted in these sources for CH3OH is in aqueous solution. The Ka may be different in non-aqueous solution.