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Polyprotic Acids and Bases definitions

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  • Polyprotic Acid
    A molecule capable of donating more than one proton in sequential steps, each with its own equilibrium constant.
  • Polyprotic Base
    A species able to accept multiple protons in stages, each governed by a distinct equilibrium constant.
  • Ka1
    The equilibrium constant for the removal of the first acidic hydrogen from a fully protonated acid.
  • Ka2
    The equilibrium constant describing the loss of the second proton from an intermediate acid form.
  • Ka3
    The equilibrium constant for the removal of the third proton in a triprotic acid system.
  • Kb1
    The equilibrium constant for the first proton addition to a fully deprotonated base form.
  • Kb2
    The equilibrium constant for the second proton addition to an intermediate base form.
  • Kb3
    The equilibrium constant for the third proton addition in a polyprotic base.
  • Kw
    The ion-product constant for water, linking acid and base equilibria in polyprotic systems.
  • Intermediate Form
    A species formed after losing or gaining one or more, but not all, protons in a polyprotic system.
  • Fully Protonated Form
    The state where all possible acidic hydrogens remain attached to the molecule.
  • Fully Deprotonated Form
    The state where all acidic hydrogens have been removed, leaving the species as a base.
  • ICE Chart
    A tabular method for tracking initial, change, and equilibrium concentrations in acid-base calculations.
  • Formal Concentration
    The initial total concentration of a species before any reaction or equilibrium shift occurs.