4. Write a balanced equation for the proton-transfer reaction between phosphate ion (PO43-) and water and determine in which direction the equilibrium is favoured.

4. Write a balanced equation for the proton-transfer reaction between

1.	4. Write a balanced equation for the proton-transfer reaction between phosphate ion (PO43-) and water and determine in which direction the equilibrium is favoured.
Answer» tion:Calculate the Kb for the base.PO4^3- + HOH ==> HPO4^2- + OH^-Kb for PO4^3- = (Kw/k3 for H3PO4) = 1E-14/4.2E-13 = about 0.024. Even though 0.024 is a "relatively" large number in Kb terms (and PO4^3- is a STRONG base in terms of pH), it is less than 1 which means the NUMERATOR is SMALL and the denominator is large. That means that the reactants predominate at equilibrium