IChO 2003 · Theory problem 14

Extraction of a weak acid

The undissociated form of a weak organic acid \(\ce{HA}\) can be extracted from the aqueous phase by a water-immiscible organic solvent according to the scheme:

Figure 1

Regarding this extraction, are the following statements correct (Y) or not (N)?

(a) The distribution constant (\(K_D\)) of the acid \(\ce{HA}\) depends on the \(pH\) of the aqueous phase. (Y) (N)

(b) \(\ce{HA}\) can be efficiently extracted only from acidic aqueous solutions. (Y) (N)

(c) The distribution ratio (\(D\)) of the acid \(\ce{HA}\) depends on the pH of the aqueous phase. (Y) (N)

(d) The distribution ratio (\(D\)) of the acid \(\ce{HA}\) depends mainly on its concentration. (Y) (N)

Official English text of the problem.

Answers

  • (a) N
  • (b) Y, under the intended qualitative interpretation.
  • (c) Y
  • (d) N

Solution

The symbols \(\ce{HA}\) and \(\ce{A-}\) denote an unspecified weak organic acid and its conjugate-base ion. Their molecular structures are not given, so unique names and SMILES cannot be assigned. The hydrogen ion \(\ce{H+}\) is a proton, [H+].

(a) The distribution constant refers to the same chemical species, undissociated \(\ce{HA}\), in the two phases:

\[ \ce{HA(aq) <=> HA(org)}, \qquad K_D=\frac{[\ce{HA}]_{\mathrm{org}}}{[\ce{HA}]_{\mathrm{aq}}}. \]

For the stated model, at fixed temperature and solvent composition, \(K_D\) is independent of aqueous pH. Changing pH changes how much acid is undissociated, but does not change this partition constant. Hence N.

(b) In the aqueous phase, the acid dissociates:

\[ \ce{HA(aq) <=> H+(aq) + A-(aq)}. \]

Using the dilute-solution approximation,

\[ K_a=\frac{[\ce{H+}]_{\mathrm{aq}}[\ce{A-}]_{\mathrm{aq}}} {[\ce{HA}]_{\mathrm{aq}}}, \]

and therefore

\[ \frac{[\ce{A-}]_{\mathrm{aq}}}{[\ce{HA}]_{\mathrm{aq}}} =\frac{K_a}{[\ce{H+}]_{\mathrm{aq}}} =10^{\mathrm{pH}-pK_a}. \]

The fraction of aqueous acid present in its extractable, undissociated form is thus

\[ \alpha_{\ce{HA}} =\frac{1}{1+10^{\mathrm{pH}-pK_a}}. \]

Acidification suppresses dissociation. When \(\mathrm{pH}\ll pK_a\), almost all the aqueous acid is undissociated and available for extraction. Increasing pH favors the conjugate-base ion, which remains in the aqueous phase in the given scheme. This supports the intended qualitative answer Y.

(c) The distribution ratio uses the total analytical concentration of the acid in each phase. Since only undissociated acid enters the organic phase,

\[ D=\frac{[\ce{HA}]_{\mathrm{org}}} {[\ce{HA}]_{\mathrm{aq}}+[\ce{A-}]_{\mathrm{aq}}}. \]

Substituting the partition and dissociation relations gives

\[ D =\frac{K_D[\ce{HA}]_{\mathrm{aq}}} {[\ce{HA}]_{\mathrm{aq}}\left(1+K_a/[\ce{H+}]_{\mathrm{aq}}\right)} =\boxed{\frac{K_D}{1+10^{\mathrm{pH}-pK_a}}}. \]

Thus \(D\) depends on pH and decreases as pH increases. Hence Y.

(d) The expression above contains no total acid concentration. At fixed pH, temperature, and solvent composition, \(D\) is independent of the acid’s analytical concentration within the stated model. Hence N.

In an unbuffered solution, changing the acid concentration can change pH and thereby affect \(D\) indirectly; this does not make concentration its principal independent determinant.

The answers were checked against the official answers published by the organisers.