What is the Correct Calculation for the Dissociation of Glycine with 5M KOH?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the amount of 5M KOH needed to be added to 1L of 0.1M glycine to achieve a pH of 10. Participants explore the use of the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation and the implications of glycine's nomenclature in the context of acid-base chemistry.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates that 13 mL of 5M KOH is required to reach a pH of 10, based on their application of the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation.
  • Another participant suggests that the initial calculation seems fine and proposes working backwards to verify the result.
  • A later reply discusses the confusion surrounding the nomenclature of glycine, indicating that the 0.1M glycine represents the molecule as a whole rather than just the acid form.
  • Further calculations are presented, leading to a conclusion of approximately 10 mL of KOH needed, but the reasoning is noted to be complex and potentially messy.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct volume of KOH needed, with differing calculations and interpretations of the problem remaining unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the definitions and roles of the different forms of glycine in the calculations, which may affect the conclusions drawn.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying acid-base chemistry, particularly in the context of amino acids and their dissociation behavior in solutions.

apchemstudent
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Here's the problem how much of 5M KOH should be added to 1L of 0.1M glycine(pKa=9.6) at a pH of 9 until the pH reaches exactly 10? the answer in the back says 10mL.

R-NH3(+) <-> R-NH2 + H(+)

Here's the way I solved it. I figured out the number of moles of R-NH2 using the henderson-hasselbach equation, and it is .251 when the pH was 9.

And then i figured out the increase in moles of R-NH2 when the pH is at 10:

pH = pKa + log(NH2+x / NH3(+) - x)
10 = 9.6 + log((moles of NH2+x)/(moles of NH3(+) - x))

x = .064

then for every mole of R-NH2 dissociated a mole of KOH must be used.

so concentration * volume = .064
5M * V = .064
V ~ 13 mL

This is not the correct answer, although it might seem close. How did they end up with 10 mL? I tried rounding it to 0.06 but that only gave me 12 mL. Am i being too precise here, and the book just rounded down to 10 mL due to significant figures? Please help. Thanks
 
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You're solution seems fine, if your not convinced try working backwards, you'll see that the the 13mL corresponds to the pH of 10.
 
Thanks for your help
 
ahh I get it, the .1M glycine doesn't represent the acid, it represents glycine, the molecule, as a whole. The nomenclature's all **** up. Well, there's biochemistry for ya, nomenclature in genetics is also a travesty. Unfortunately I don't believe they have the name for the different protonated forms of glycine.

the .251 is the ratio of the base to the acid, to find the concentration of the base

[tex](.251/1.251).1~=~initial~base~conc.[/tex]
[tex](.1/1.251)=~initial~acid~conc.[/tex]

[tex]K=[.02006+x]10^{-10}/(.07994-x)=2.51x10^{-10}[/tex]

[tex]x=.05145=v5/(v+1)[/tex]

[tex]v=~10mL[/tex]

If anyone needs any clearing up, just say so, I admit the solution's pretty messy.
 

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