Bronsted-Lowry/Brønsted–Lowry Acid-Base Theory

An acid/base definition that suggests an Brønsted–Lowry acid is any molecule that can donate a proton, and a Brønsted–Lowry base is any molecule that accepts the proton. Protons can be referred to as H+ or "hydrogen ions," so if you see those terms used in a textbook they all mean the same thing. When a Brønsted–Lowry acid gives its proton away, it is "deprotonated" and can now accept a proton; now that it has become an acceptor, it is referred to as a conjugate base. The same rule applies to Brønsted–Lowry bases: once they gain a proton (are protonated), they are known as conjugate acids.

student: i'm a little confused with this functional group. the reading says that the carboxylic acid (COOH) group loses its proton, H, making the formula COO−. now that there's a space on the oxygen that's vacant, could the group accept a proton in the empty space? wouldn't that make the group a base?
teacher: yeah, acids turn into things known as conjugate bases when they lose hydrogen ions. the space where a proton used to be is now available for bonding, and the group or molecule becomes a proton acceptor/Brønsted–Lowry base
that's how you use the Bronsted-Lowry/Brønsted–Lowry Acid-Base Theory

by ilikesciencemorethanyoudo July 6, 2025

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