In: Chemistry
Oxalic acid , HOOCCOOH (aq) , is a diprotic acid with Ka1= 0.056 and Ka2=1.5x10-4. Determine the pH of a 0.12 M oxalic acid solution.
HOOCCOOH(aq) = HOOCCOO-(aq) +
H+(aq) HOOCCOO-(aq) = -OOCCOO-(aq) + H+(aq)
H2C2O4 ---------------------> HC2O4- + H+
0.12 0 0
0.12 - x x x
Ka1 = x^2 / 0.12 - x
0.056 = x^2 / 0.12 - x
x = 0.0586
[H+] = 0.0586 M
HC2O4- ------------------> C2O42- + H+
0.0586 0 0.0586
0.0586 - x x 0.0586 + x
Ka2 = x * (0.0586 + x) / (0.0596 - x)
1.5 x 10^-4 = 0.0586 x + x^2 / 0.0586 - x
8.79 x 10^-6 - 1.5 x 10^-4 x = 0.0586 x + x^2
x^2 + 0.05875x - 8.79 x 10^-6 = 0
x = 1.49 x 10^-4
[H+] = 1.49 x 10^-4 M
total [H+] = 0.0586 + 1.49 x 10^-4 = 0.0588 M
pH = -log [H+] = -log (0.0588)
pH = 1.23