# pH of weak bases

## Equilibrium calculation

By its dissociation, $B$ $+$ $H_2O$ $\rightleftarrows$ $OH^-$ $+$ $HB$ a base, however weak, usually brings more hydroxide ions in water that autoprotolysis of water itself. Let's call $n_{B}$ the number of moles of base $B$ introduced into the water before it is dissociated. If $V$ is the final volume, the initial(formal) molarity is written: $c_{B}$ $=$ $\frac {n_{B}}{V}$ Let's call $x$ call the number of moles of hydroxide $OH^-$ present in the solution when the dissociation equilibrium is reached. Then we have: $OH^-$ $=$ $\frac{x}{V}$ and $pOH$ $=$ $-log(\frac{x}{V})$ Let's calculate $x$: We find in order: (1) $x$ moles $OH^-$ at equilibrium (2) $x$ moles $OH^-$ prodiuced (3) $x$ moles $B$ disappeared (4) $n_B-x$ moles $B$ at equilibrium (5) $x$ moles $HB$ prodiuced (6) $x$ moles $HB$ at equilibrium The molarities are at equilibrium: $[OH^-]$ $=$ $\frac{x}{V}$ $[B]$ $=$ $\frac{n_B-x}{V}$ $[HB]$ $=$ $\frac{x}{V}$ Introducing in the expression of the basicity constant $K_b$: $K_b$ $=$ $\frac{[OH^-][HB]}{[B]}$ = $\frac{\frac{x}{V}\frac{x}{V}}{\frac{n_B-x}{V}}$ = $\frac{\frac{x}{V}\frac{x}{V}}{\frac{n_B}{V}-\frac{x}{V}}$ = $\frac{[OH^-]^2}{c_B-[OH^-]}$ $[OH^-]^2$ $+$ $K_b[OH^-]$ $-$ $K_bc_B$ $=$ $0$ Then, posing $z=[OH^-]$:

To determine the pH of a diluted solution of weak base: - we calculate a reasonable solution of the equation: $z^2+K_b\cdot z-K_b c_B=0$ - we calculate $pOH$ $=$ $-log\;z$ - we find: $pH$ $=$ $14-pOH$ $=$ $14$ $+$ $log\;z$

For example: Given a weak base $0.10\frac{mol}{L}$ solution with $K_b$ $=$ $4.00\cdot 10^{-2}$: The equation $z^2$ $+$ $4.0\cdot 10^{-2}\cdot z$ $-$ $4.0\cdot 10^{-2}\cdot 0.10$ $=$ $0$ provides the positive root: $z$ $=$ $8.3\cdot 10^{-3}$ and so: $pH$ $=$ $14$ $+$ $log\; z$ $=$ $12$