pKa of pH Indicators
[Key Contents]
- acid dissociation constant, pKa
- buffer, Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
- spectrophotometry, Beer's law
- pH indicator
[References]
Principles of Modern Chemistry, 6th Ed. (Oxtoby et al.)
Ch 15. Acid-Base Equilibria
Chemistry for Life, Chemistry for Better Life (Kim et al.)
Ch 9. Equilibrium Reactions
[Goal]
- to understand basic principles of acid dissociation equilibrium
-
to
learn
to
use
Henderson-Hasselbalch
equation
in
acid
dissociation equilibrium
- to learn basic principles of spectrophotometry
[Background]
A typical pH indicator (HInd) is a weak acid that undergoes acid
dissociation in solution with an accompanying color change.
HInd Ind- + H+
The color of the solution is determined by the concentration ratio
between HInd and Ind-. The concentration of HInd and Ind- can be
measured using Beer's law.
A
= bC
b: path length,
A: absorbance
Ind-
absorbs
little.
Then
you
will
measure
the
decreased
[Procedure]
Expt 1. pKa of Bromophenol Blue
for HInd from mixture 1. Determine max for Ind- from mixture 7.
HO
OH
phenolphthalein
the
0.02
mM
phenolphthalein
solution
to
make
0.015
mM
[Data Analysis]
Expt 1. pKa of Bromophenol Blue
[HInd]
at
different
pH's
from
absorbance at max.
4) Calculate [Ind-] as difference between [HInd] for mixture 1 and
[HInd] at different pH's.
5) Plot log[Ind-]/[HInd] againt pH and determine pKa of BPB as the pH
where log[Ind-]/[HInd] is zero.
6) Draw an absorption spectrum for mixture 7 and determine max and
at max. Calculate [Ind-] from absorbance at max.
7) For mixture 2~6, calculate
[Ind-]
at
different
pH's
from
absorbance at max.
8) Calculate [HInd] as difference between [Ind-] for mixture 7 and
Plot
log[Ind-]/[HInd]
againt
pH
and
determine
pKa
of
[Additional Material]
Phenol Red and Phenolphthalein
pH 5.5
8.0
phenol red
phenolphthalein
10.0
12