Why Do Acids Like HCl Donate Protons?

[WLuderman]

I wondered if anyone could help me with a question. Do acids such as HCl donate protons because the conjugate acid is more electronegative? Such as the O in H2O is more EN than Cl, and that's why the H+ dissociates?

 

[Borek]

It is not about just electronegativity - what is more electronegative, oxygen in SO₄^2- or oxygen in H₂O?

 

[WLuderman]

I'd have to say So4^2- because it carries a negative charge, so it will attract protons...?

 

[Borek]

What about HSO₄^- then?

 

[Ygggdrasil]

Here's a nice tutorial describing how one might estimate the relative strength of various acids and bases. Electronegativity is one factor, but there are other factors that are important as well:

http://www.chem.ucla.edu/harding/tutorials/acids_and_bases/mol_str.pdf

 

[WLuderman]

Thanks for that I'll watch it.

 

[WLuderman]

That's actually really helpful. I see it's as I suspected more to do with the lewis bases ability to donate electrons. Like the protons are pulled from the acid.