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Buffer Solutions:: Acidic Buffers
Buffer Solutions:: Acidic Buffers
Buffer Solutions:: Acidic Buffers
Those solutions, which resist the change in their pH when a small amount of an
acid or a base is added to them, are called buffer solutions.
They have a specific constant value of pH and their pH values do not change on
dilution and on keeping for a long time.
Acidic Buffers:
Acidic Buffers are made by mixing a weak acid and a salt of it with a strong base. Such solutions give
acidic buffers with pH less than 7. Mixture of acetic acid and sodium acetate is one of the best
examples of such a buffer.
Basic Buffers:
Basic Buffers are made by mixing a weak base and a salt of it with a strong acid. Such solutions will
give basic buffers with pH more than 7. Mixture of ammonium hydroxide and ammonium chloride is
one of the best examples of such a basic buffer.
Principle:
Buffer solutions act on the principle of the common ion effect.
If someone goes on adding CH₃COONa in CH₃COOH solution, then the added concentrations of
CH₃COOˉ decreases the disassociation of CH₃COOH and the pH of solution increases. Greater is the
concentration of CH₃COOH as compared to CH₃COOHNa, lesser if the pH of solution.
Actually the buffer mentioned above is the largest reservoir of CH₃COOH and CH₃COOˉ components.
When an acid or H₂O⁺ ion are added to this buffer, they will react with CH₃COOˉ to give back acetic
acid and hence the pH of the solution will almost remained unchanged. The reason is that CH₃COOH
being a weak acid will prefer to remain undissociated. The buffer solution consisting of NH₄Cl and
NH₄OH can resist the change of pH and pOH, when acid or base is added from outside. When a base
or OHˉ ions are added in it they will react with the H₃O⁺ to give back H₂O and the pH of the solution
again will remain unchanged.
HA H⁺ + Aˉ
NaA Na⁺ + Aˉ
Kₐ = ¿ ¿
Kₐ[HA ]
[H⁺] =
[ Aˉ ]
the concentration of Aˉ in the reaction mixture is predominately being supplied by the NaA which is
a stronger electrolyte then HA, and the ionization of HA is being suppressed by the common ion
effect (Aˉ is the common ion in the buffer solution.
Kₐ[HA ]
log [H⁺] =log
[ Aˉ ]
[ HA ]
log [H⁺] = log Kₐ + log
[ Aˉ ]
Multiplying with negative on both the sides
[ HA ]
-log [H⁺] = -log Kₐ -log
[ Aˉ ]
Since,
So,
[ HA ]
pH = pKₐ - log
[ Aˉ ]
[Aˉ] refers to the concentration of the salt; actually, maximum possible concentrate of Aˉ is given by
NaA, being a strong electrolyte.
Hence,
[acid]
pH = pKₐ - log
[base ]
Interchanging the numerator and the denominator the sign of the log changes
[CH₃CHOOH] = [CH₃COONA]
Then,
[CH ₃ COONa]
pH = pKₐ + log
[CH ₃ COOH ]
pH = pKₐ + log(1)
So,
pH = pKₐ + 0 = pKₐ
pH = 4.74
It means that the pH of this buffer is just equal to the pKₐ of the acid.
[salt ]
pH = 4.74 + log
[acid]
[1.0]
pH = 4.74 + log = 4.74 + log10
[0.1]
Since,
log10 = 1
pH = 4.74 + 1
pH = 5.74
Drugs as buffers
Pharmaceutical buffers
Drugs as Buffers:
It is important to recognize that solutions of drugs that are weak electrolyte also manifest buffer
action. Salicylic Acid solution in a soft glass bottle is influenced by the alkalinity of the glass. It might
be thought at first that the reactions would result in an appreciable increase in pH; however, the
sodium ion of the oft glass combine with the salicylate ions to form sodium salicylate. Thus, there
arises a solution of salicylic acid and sodium salicylate-a buffer solution that resists the change in pH.
Pharmaceutical Buffers:
Buffer solutions are used frequently in pharmaceutical practice, particularly in the formulation of
ophthalmic solutions. They also find application in the colorimetric determination of pH and for the
research studies in which pH must be held constant. E.g. Gifford suggested to stock solutions, one
containing boric acid and the other mono hydrated sodium carbonate, which, when mixed in various
proportions, yields buffer solution with pH values from about 5 to 9.
References:
Martins Physical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 5 th Edition by Patrick J. Sinko
S. R. Gifford, Arch. Ophthalmol. 13, 78, 1935
The University of Lahore
1 KM, Defence Road, Lahore
Department of Pharmacy
The University of Lahore
1 KM, Defence Road, Lahore
Department of Pharmacy