Determine whether Ba(CH3COO)2 will be acidic, basic or neutral
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: Basic
Explanation:
Barium acetate, with the chemical formula Ba(CH₃COO)₂, is a salt formed from the combination of a strong base and a weak acid. To determine the acidic, basic, or neutral nature of a salt in aqueous solution, it is important to examine the parent acid and base from which it is derived.
Barium hydroxide (Ba(OH)₂) is a strong base, and acetic acid (CH₃COOH) is a weak acid. When these react, they form barium acetate and water. In water, barium acetate dissociates completely into Ba²⁺ cations and CH₃COO⁻ (acetate) anions.
The Ba²⁺ ion, coming from a strong base, does not hydrolyze in water. It has no significant effect on the pH of the solution. On the other hand, the acetate ion, which is the conjugate base of the weak acid acetic acid, does undergo hydrolysis. It reacts with water to form some OH⁻ ions and CH₃COOH. This reaction increases the hydroxide ion concentration in the solution, making the solution slightly basic.
The net result of this hydrolysis is a basic solution, although the basicity is not very strong due to the weak base character of the acetate ion. The pH will typically be slightly above 7, indicating a basic environment.
Therefore, the salt barium acetate will create a basic solution in water. The basic nature of the salt arises from the presence of the acetate anion, which comes from a weak acid, while the barium cation comes from a strong base and does not contribute to acidity or basicity in the solution.