Question

The compound trimethylamine, (CH3)3N, is a weak base when dissolved in water. Write the Kb expression for the weak base equilibrium that occurs in an aqueous solution of trimethylamine:

Answer 1

Answer: The expression of $K_b$ is written below.

Explanation:

We are given a chemical compound which is trimethylamine that acts as a weak base when dissolved in water.

It accepts a proton from the water to form trimethylammonium ion and hydroxide ion.

The chemical equation for the reaction of trimethylamine in water follows:

$(CH_3)_3N+H_2O\rightleftharpoons (CH_3)_3NH^++OH^-$

The expression of $K_b$ for above equation follows:

$K_b=\frac{[(CH_3)_3NH^+][OH^-]}{[(CH_3)_3N]}$

Hence, the expression of $K_b$ is written above.