Acids and Bases: Molecular Structure and Behavior

GOAL(s):

• Recognize chemical properties of molecules and ions that allow them to act as acids or bases
• Compare the relative strengths of acids based on molecular structure
• Write stepwise ionization reactions for polyprotic acids and bases
• Recognize conjugate acid-base pairs

What is it about Brønsted acids and bases that allow them to donate or accept protons? Can any molecule that has a proton act as an acid? What makes some acids stronger (or more likely to donate a proton) than others?

The answers to these questions lie in the molecular structure of acids and bases. This module will describe characteristic molecular features that Brønsted acids share as well as features that Brønsted bases share.