Approximate pKas of Common Functional Groups

Notes: the pKa value is quoted for the underlined H

Strong acids:
Acid
pKa
HBr
-9
HCl
-7
HF
3

Acid
H2SO4
HNO3

pKa
-3
-1.4

Common organic functional groups:

Functional group
pKa
Functional group
ROH
17
H2
Alcohol
H2 O
15.7
R3CH
alkane
5
Carboxlic acid
R2NH
Amine

pKa
35
50
45

Alkene
40

25
alkyne

15
Amide
Protons alpha to carbonyls:
Functional group
pKa
20

Functional group

pKa
9

25

11

13

Protonated species:
Functional group
H3 O+
R-OH2+
Protonated alcohol

pKa
-1.7
-2

Functional group
NH4+
Ammonium
R3NH+
Protonated amine

-6
Protonated ketone

pKa
9
10
5

Protonated pyridine