Question

What must be the molarity of an aqueous solution of trimethylamine, (ch3)3n, if it has a ph = 11.20? (ch3)3n+h2o⇌(ch3)3nh++oh−kb=6.3×10−5?

Answer 1

0.040 mol / dm³. (2 sig. fig.)

Explanation

$(\text{CH}_3)_3\text{N}$ in this question acts as a weak base. As seen in the equation in the question, $(\text{CH}_3)_3\text{N}$ produces $\text{OH}^{-}$ rather than $\text{H}^{+}$ when it dissolves in water. The concentration of $\text{OH}^{-}$ will likely be more useful than that of $\text{H}^{+}$ for the calculations here.

Finding the value of $[\text{OH}^{-}]$ from pH:

Assume that $\text{pK}_w = 14$,

$\begin{array}{ll}\text{pOH} = \text{pK}_w - \text{pH} \\ \phantom{\text{pOH}} = 14 - 11.20 &\text{True only under room temperature where }\text{pK}_w = 14 \\\phantom{\text{pOH}}= 2.80\end{array}$.

$[\text{OH}^{-}] =10^{-\text{pOH}} =10^{-2.80} = 1.59\;\text{mol}\cdot\text{dm}^{-3}$.

Solve for $[(\text{CH}_3)_3\text{N}]_\text{initial}$:

$\dfrac{[\text{OH}^{-}]_\text{equilibrium}\cdot[(\text{CH}_3)_3\text{NH}^{+}]_\text{equilibrium}}{[(\text{CH}_3)_3\text{N}]_\text{equilibrium}} = \text{K}_b = 1.58\times 10^{-3}$

Note that water isn't part of this expression.

The value of Kb is quite small. The change in $(\text{CH}_3)_3\text{N}$ is nearly negligible once it dissolves. In other words,

$[(\text{CH}_3)_3\text{N}]_\text{initial} = [(\text{CH}_3)_3\text{N}]_\text{final}$.

Also, for each mole of $\text{OH}^{-}$ produced, one mole of $(\text{CH}_3)_3\text{NH}^{+}$ was also produced. The solution started with a small amount of either species. As a result,

$[(\text{CH}_3)_3\text{NH}^{+}] = [\text{OH}^{-}] = 10^{-2.80} = 1.58\times 10^{-3}\;\text{mol}\cdot\text{dm}^{-3}$.

$\dfrac{[\text{OH}^{-}]_\text{equilibrium}\cdot[(\text{CH}_3)_3\text{NH}^{+}]_\text{equilibrium}}{[(\text{CH}_3)_3\text{N}]_\textbf{initial}} = \text{K}_b = 1.58\times 10^{-3}$,

$[(\text{CH}_3)_3\text{N}]_\textbf{initial} =\dfrac{[\text{OH}^{-}]_\text{equilibrium}\cdot[(\text{CH}_3)_3\text{NH}^{+}]_\text{equilibrium}}{\text{K}_b}$,

$[(\text{CH}_3)_3\text{N}]_\text{initial} =\dfrac{(1.58\times10^{-3})^{2}}{6.3\times10^{-5}} = 0.040\;\text{mol}\cdot\text{dm}^{-3}$.