acidity in inorganic

why is H2O neutral but HF acidic in nature ?(i mean you analyse the huge difference in properties !!!)

5 Answers

1
aieeee ·

Well,organic.HF is a weak acid,due to its property of high intermolecular hydrogen bonding capability.
and H2O self ionises into H+ and OH-,which nullify each other's acidic and basic properties respectively.Also,cn think this way, H++OH-→H2O i.e. reaction of a strong acid with a strong base giving a neutral salt.

19
Debotosh.. ·

@AIEEEE .....this is a very fundamental mistake that i also made while facing the qs. for the first time......hydrogen bonding mainly affects boiling point and solubility. intramol h-bond can affect affect acidity but there is no scope of intramol h-bond in any of the given compounds.....so think something else.......the answer is relatively simple !!!

1
rahul wadhwani ·

H2O ---> H+ + OH-

HF ---> H+ + F-

F- is weak base than OH- so its conj. acid r different so H2O is weak acid as compared 2 HF

1
aieeee ·

sorry for the mistake.
actually,the bond energy of H-F bond is very high,which increases their bond strength

19
Debotosh.. ·

thats the answer !!!!!!!! simple !!!!!!!!

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