Chem 208: Acids, Bases, Electrophiles and Nucleophiles

These flashcards cover the key concepts and definitions related to acids, bases, electrophiles, and nucleophiles from the Chem 208 lecture.

What is the definition of an electrophile?

An electrophile is an "electron-loving" species that accepts electrons.

What is the definition of a nucleophile?

A nucleophile is a "nucleus-seeking" species that donates electrons.

What is the pH of human blood?

The pH of human blood is approximately 7.

What does the Arrhenius definition state about acids?

According to the Arrhenius definition, an acid ionizes in water to give protons.

What does the Brønsted-Lowry definition state about acids and bases?

An acid is a proton donor, and a base is a proton acceptor.

What happens to strong acids in water?

Strong acids dissociate completely in water.

What is the meaning of pKa in relation to acid strength?

pKa is a measure of acid strength, with lower values indicating stronger acids.

What is the primary factor affecting acidity of organic acids?

The relative stability of the anion formed when an acid loses a proton is the primary factor.

What is the role of electronegativity in acidity?

Electronegativity affects acidity by influencing how well an atom stabilizes the negative charge on the anion.

How do inductive effects influence acid strength?

Inductive effects arise from electron-withdrawing groups that increase acidity by stabilizing the negative charge of the conjugate base.