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Related Concept Videos

Acidity of 1-Alkynes02:42

Acidity of 1-Alkynes

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The acidic strength of hydrocarbons follows the order: Alkynes > Alkenes > Alkanes. The strength of an acid is commonly expressed in units of pKa — the lower the pKa, the stronger the acid. Among the hydrocarbons, terminal alkynes have lower pKa values and are, therefore, more acidic. For example, the pKa values for ethane, ethene, and acetylene are 51, 44, and 25, respectively, as shown here.
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Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions02:34

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Historical perspective
In 1896, the German chemist Paul Walden discovered that he could interconvert pure enantiomeric (+) and (-) malic acids through a series of reactions. This conversion suggested the involvement of optical inversion during the substitution reaction. Further, in 1930, Sir Christopher Ingold described for the first time two different forms of nucleophilic substitution reactions, which are known as SN1 (nucleophilic substitution unimolecular) and SN2 (nucleophilic substitution...
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Leveling Effect01:29

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In acid-base chemistry, the leveling effect refers to the limitation imposed by the solvent on the strength of acids and bases in solution. When a base stronger than the solvent's conjugate base is used, it deprotonates the solvent until the base is entirely consumed, making it ineffective against weaker acids. Conversely, an acid stronger than the solvent's conjugate acid protonates the solvent until the acid is depleted, rendering it ineffective against weaker bases. Essentially, the...
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Brønsted-Lowry Acids and Bases02:16

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In 1923, the Brønsted–Lowry definition of acids and bases was proposed by Johannes Brønsted and Thomas Lowry. According to this theory, a Brønsted acid is defined as a species that donates a proton in a chemical reaction and gets converted to its conjugate base. A Brønsted base is defined as a species that accepts a proton in a chemical reaction and gets converted into its conjugate acid. These transfers of protons are caused by the displacement of electrons in these reactions, which is...
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Leveling Effect and Non-Aqueous Acid-Base Solutions02:11

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This lesson defines the leveling effect in acidic and basic solutions and its role in aqueous and non-aqueous solutions. It is essential to understand the competing nature of various species in a chemical system.
The Leveling Effect of a Solvent
A generic acid (HA) reacts with the generic base (B-) to yield the corresponding conjugate base (A-) and conjugate acid (HB):
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Lewis Acids and Bases02:33

Lewis Acids and Bases

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In 1923, G. N. Lewis proposed a generalized definition of acid-base behavior in which acids and bases are identified by their ability to accept or to donate a pair of electrons and form a coordinate covalent bond.
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Updated: Aug 26, 2025

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The missing base molecules in atmospheric acid-base nucleation.

Runlong Cai1,2, Rujing Yin1, Chao Yan2,3

  • 1State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.

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|October 5, 2022
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Strong amines, even when undetected, are crucial for new particle formation. Their presence in small sulfuric acid clusters limits nucleation and drives initial growth, impacting climate.

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Area of Science:

  • Atmospheric Chemistry
  • Aerosol Science
  • Climate Science

Background:

  • New particle formation from gaseous precursors impacts aerosol concentration, cloud formation, and climate.
  • Acid-base clustering is a key mechanism for atmospheric new particle nucleation and growth.
  • Current mass spectrometry methods cannot fully explain observed high new particle formation rates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of undetected base molecules, specifically amines, in the initial stages of sulfuric acid nucleation.
  • To elucidate the rate-limiting steps and growth pathways in atmospheric sulfuric acid-amine nucleation.
  • To reconcile measured new particle formation rates with molecular-level mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized advanced mass spectrometry to detect and analyze molecular clusters.
  • Investigated the formation of (H2SO4)1(amine)1 clusters as a critical step.
  • Compared proposed mechanisms with observational data from urban Beijing.

Main Results:

  • Provided strong evidence for the presence of amines in the smallest atmospheric sulfuric acid clusters before mass spectrometer detection.
  • Identified the formation of (H2SO4)1(amine)1 as the rate-limiting step in sulfuric acid-amine nucleation.
  • Demonstrated that (H2SO4)1(amine)1 uptake is a primary pathway for initial sulfuric acid cluster growth.

Conclusions:

  • Amines, even at low concentrations and when undetected in small clusters, are essential for atmospheric new particle formation.
  • Dimethylamine plays a key role in sulfuric acid nucleation in urban environments like Beijing.
  • The findings highlight the significance of strong bases in the planetary boundary layer's particle formation processes.