4.8 Introduction to Acid-Base Reactions

Identify species as BrønstedLowry acids, bases, and/or conjugate acid-base pairs, based on proton-transfer involving those species.

• By definition, a Brønsted-Lowry acid is a proton donor and a Brønsted-Lowry base is a proton acceptor.
• Only in aqueous solutions, water plays an important role in many acid-base reactions, as its molecular structure allows it to accept protons from and donate protons to dissolved species.
• When an acid or base ionizes in water, the conjugate acid-base pairs can be identified and their relative strengths compared.
  • Exclusion: Lewis acid-base concepts will not be assessed on the AP Exam. The emphasis in AP Chemistry is on reactions in aqueous solution.