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Chemistry LibreTexts

Brønsted-Lowry Theory

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Brønsted-Lowry theory is a theory on acids and bases. In many reactions a H+, which is simply a proton, is transferred from one species to another. According to Brønsted-Lowry theory, the species that donates the H+ is an acid; the one that accepts the H+ is a base.

eg. 1:

bronsted1.png

In this reaction,
HCl donates a H+ to water and, therefore, acts as an acid.
Water accepts a H+ from HCl and, therefore, acts as a base.

bronsted2.png

In the reverse reaction, Cl¯ acts as a base and H3O+ acts as an acid.

bronsted3.png

When HCl acts as an acid, it becomes Cl¯, which is a base and is called the conjugate base of HCl. When water acts as a base, it becomes H3O+, which is an acid and is called the conjugate acid of water.

bronsted4.png

eg. 2:

bronsted5.png

see also acid strength, acid dissociation constant, Lewis theory


This page titled Brønsted-Lowry Theory is shared under a All Rights Reserved (used with permission) license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Gamini Gunawardena via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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