Example 13.3: Representing the Acid-Base Behavior of an Amphoteric Substance
Write separate equations representing the reaction of
\(\ce{HSO3-}\)
(a) as an acid with
\(\ce{OH^-}\)
(b) as a base with
\(\ce{HI}\)
Solution
[a]
\(\ce{HSO3-(aq)}\)\(\ce{ + }\)\(\ce{OH-(aq)}\)\(\ce{<=>}\)\(\ce{SO3^2-(aq)}\)\(\ce{ + }\)\(\ce{H2O(l)}\)\(\ce{ }\)
[b]
\(\ce{HSO3-(aq)}\)\(\ce{ + }\)\(\ce{HI(aq)}\)\(\ce{<=>}\)\(\ce{H2SO3(aq)}\)\(\ce{ + }\)\(\ce{I-(aq)}\)\(\ce{ }\)