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# Henderson-Hasselbalch Approximation

The Henderson-Hasselbalch approximation allows us one method to approximate the pH of a buffer solution. The basic equation is as follows:

$pH \approx pK_a + \log\dfrac{[A^-]}{[HA]}$

### Motivation

We have straightforward calculations for strong acids and bases, but the computations behind buffers are rather complex and time consuming. By using the fact that weak acids and bases barely ionize, allowing us to approximate the pH of buffer solutions using initial concentrations. Though the approximation has a few restrictions, it simplifies a lengthy calculation into a simple equation derived from $$K$$.

Lawrence Joseph Henderson and Karl Albert Hasselbalch

Lawrence Joseph Henderson (1878-1942) was a talented biochemist, among many other titles, who spent most of his career at Harvard. He was responsible for developing the components of the equation after studying equilibrium reactions that took place within blood as a result of respiration (specializing in "fatigue"). His equation was incomplete without the solid calculations into it provided by Hasselbalch.

Karl Albert Hasselbalch (1874-1962) was a chemist who studied pH closely. He also studied blood and reactions that took place with oxygen, to put in the simplest of terms. He eventually modified Henderson's equation by putting mathematical logs into it creating a solid relationship.

### Derivation for an Acidic Buffer

For a weak acid $$HA$$ and its conjugate base $$A^-$$:

$$H\!A + H_2O\leftrightharpoons H^+ + A^-$$

which has an acid ionization constant

$K_a=\dfrac{[H^+][A^-]}{[H\!A]}$

The Henderson-Hasselbalch approximation is derived from this acid ionization constant.

$K_a= \dfrac{[H^+][A^-]}{[H\!A]}$

$-\log K_a= -\log\dfrac{[H^+][A^-]}{[H\!A]}$

$- \log K_a = - \log[H^+] - \log\dfrac{[A^-]}{[H\!A]}$

$pK_a = pH - \log\dfrac{[A^-]}{[H\!A]}$

$pH = pK_a + \log\dfrac{[A^-]}{[H\!A]}$

Note that $$H\!A$$ is a weak acid. By definition, $$"H\!A$$ does not dissociate completely and we can say $$[H\!A]\approx[H\!A]_i$$ and $$[A^-]\approx[A^-]_i$$. Hence, we can use the initial concentrations because

$pK_a + \log\dfrac{[A^-]_i}{[H\!A]_i} \approx pK_a + \log\dfrac{[A^-]}{[H\!A]} = pH$

### Derivation for an Alkaline Buffer

Similarly, for a weak base $$B$$ and its conjugate acid $$H\!B^+$$:

$B + H_2O \leftrightharpoons O\!H^- + H\!B^+$

which has an base ionization constant

$K_b=\dfrac{[O\!H^-][H\!B^+]}{[B]}$

The Henderson-Hasselbalch approximation is derived from this base ionization constant.

$K_b= \dfrac{[O\!H^-][H\!B^+]}{[B]}$

$-\log K_b= -\log\dfrac{[O\!H^-][H\!B^+]}{[B]}$

$-\log K_b = - \log[O\!H^-] - \log\dfrac{[H\!B^+]}{[B]}$

$pK_b = pO\!H - \log\dfrac{[H\!B^+]}{[B]}$

$pOH = pK_b + \log\dfrac{[H\!B^+]}{[B]}$

Note that $$B$$ is a weak base. By definition, $$B$$ does not dissociate completely and we can say $$[B] \approx [B]_i$$ and $$[H\!B^+] \approx [H\!B^+]_i$$. Hence, we can use the initial concentrations because

$pK_b + \log\dfrac{[H\!B^+]_i}{[B]_i} \approx pK_b + \log\dfrac{[H\!B^+]}{[B]} = pOH$

Assumptions in the Henderson-Hasselbach Approximation

• $-1 < \log \dfrac{[A^-]}{[H\!A]} < 1$
• The molarity of the buffer(s) should be 100x that of the acid ionization constant, or Ka.
• This equation will give poor or inaccurate results if there are strong acids or bases. pKa values between 5 and 9 will give good approximations, but when we are out of this range there is a strong chance that the pH value will be incorrect.J In other words near the end or the beginning of a titration where the "relative concentrations of the acid or base differ substantially[,]... approximate calculations break down."J

### Problems

1. Find $$[H^+]$$ in a solution 1.0 M $$HNO_2$$ and 0.225 M $$NaNO_2$$ The $$K_a$$ for $$HNO_2$$ is $$5.6 \times 10^{−4}$$ (Table E1).
2. What ratio $$\frac{[A^-]}{[HA]}$$ will create an acetic acid buffer of pH 5.0? ($$K_a$$ acetic acid is $$1.75 \times 10^{−5}$$ (Table E1).
3. You prepare a buffer solution of 0.323 M $$NH_3$$ and $$(NH_4)_2SO_4$$. What molarity of $$(NH_4)_2SO_4$$ is necessary to have a pH of 8.6? The $$pK_b$$ for $$NH_3$$ is 4.74 (Table E2).
4. What is the pH of a buffer 0.500 moles acetic acid and 0.500 moles acetate ion and the total volume is 5 L when you add 0.350 moles HCl? The $$K_a$$ for acetic acid is $$1.75 \times 10^{−5}$$ (Table E1).
5.  What is the range of an acetic acid buffer described in problem 4 without the added HCl?

### Solutions

1.

$pK_a = -\log K_a = -\log(7.4 \times 10^{-4}) = 3.14$

$pH = pK_a + \log \left( \dfrac{[NO_2^-]}{[HNO_2]}\right)$

$pH = 3.14 + \log \left( \dfrac{1}{0.225} \right)$

$pH = 3.14 + 0.648 = 3.788$

$[H^+] = 10^{-pH} = 10^{-3.788} = 1.6 \times 10^{-4}$

2.

$pKa = -log Ka = -log(1.8 \times10^{-5}) = 4.74$

$pH = pK_a + \log \left( \dfrac{[A^-]}{[H\!A]}\right)$

$5.0 = 4.74 + \log \left( \dfrac{[A^-]}{[H\!A]}\right)$

$0.26 = \log \left( \dfrac{[A^-]}{[H\!A]}\right)$

$10^{0.26} = \dfrac{[A^-]}{[H\!A]}$

$1.8 = \dfrac{[A^-]}{[H\!A]}$

3.

$pK_a+ pK_b = 14$

$pK_a= 14 - 4.74 = 9.26$

$pH = pK_a + \log \left( \frac{[A^-]}{[H\!A]}\right)$

$8.6 = 9.26 + \log \left( \dfrac{0.323}{[N\!H_4^+]}\right)$

$-0.66 = \log \left( \dfrac{0.323}{[N\!H_4^+]}\right)$

$[NH_4^+] = 1.48 M$

4.

$pK_a = -\log K_a = -\log(1.75 \times 10^{−5}) = 4.756$

$pH = pK_a + \log \left( \dfrac{[acetate]}{[\text{acetic acid}] + [HCL]} \right)$

note that mole ratio also works in place of concentrations as both the acid and base are in the same solution

$pH = 4.756 + \log (0.588)$

$pH = 4.756 - 0.230 = 4.52$

5.

$pK_a = -\log K_a = -\log(1.75 \times 10^{−5}) = 4.756$

Note that the buffer range is of magnitude 2 pH units with the $$pK_a$$ as the midpoint. Hence, the buffer range would be 3.75 to 5.75.

### References

1. J"Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation: Its History and Limitations," Henry N. Po and N. M. Senozan, J. Chem. Educ., 2001, 78 (11), p 1499
2. M National Academy of Sciences (U.S.) Biographical memoirs. City of Washington, 1945. Vol. XXIII, 2d memoir.
3. Chem. Petrucci, et al. General Chemistry: Principles & Modern Applications. 9th ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 2007.

### Contributors

• Gurinder Khaira, Alexander Kot (UCD)