Calculate the pka of hypochlorous acid. the ph of a 0.015 m solution of hypochlorous acid has a ph of 4.64.

Explanation:

1) Data:

a) Hypochlorous acid = HClO

b) [HClO} = 0.015

c) pH = 4.64

d) pKa = ?

2) Strategy:

With the pH calculate [H₃O⁺], then use the equilibrium equation to calculate the equilibrium constant, Ka, and finally calculate pKa from the definition.

3) Solution:

a) pH

b) Equilibrium equation: HClO (aq) ⇄ ClO⁻ (aq) + H₃O⁺ (aq)

c) Equilibrium constant: Ka =  [ClO⁻] [H₃O⁺] / [HClO]

d) From the stoichiometry: [CLO⁻] = [H₃O⁺] = 2.29 × 10 ⁻⁵ M

e) By substitution: Ka = (2.29 × 10 ⁻⁵ M)² / 0.015M = 3.50 × 10⁻⁸ M

f) By definition: pKa = - log Ka = - log (3.50 × 10 ⁻⁸) = 7.46