information:filtering
Reactions between bases and water

The following reaction represents the general reaction between a base (B) and water to produce a conjugate acid (BH) and a conjugate base (OH): B (aq) + H 2 O (l) ↽ − − ⇀ BH + (aq) + OH − (aq) {\displaystyle {\ce {{B}_{(aq)}+ {H2O}_{(l)}<=> {BH+}_{(aq)}+ {OH- }_{(aq)}}}} The equilibrium constant, K, for this reaction can be found using the following general equation:

In this equation, the base (B) and the extremely strong base (the conjugate base OH) compete for the proton. As a result, bases that react with water have relatively small equilibrium constant values. The base is weaker when it has a lower equilibrium constant value.