Which is a stronger base, S^2– or Se^2–? Explain.

Key Concepts

Acidity and Basicity

Acidity and basicity are fundamental concepts in chemistry that describe the ability of a substance to donate protons (acids) or accept protons (bases). The strength of a base is often determined by its ability to accept protons and the stability of the resulting conjugate acid. In this context, comparing the basicity of S2- and Se2- involves understanding how these anions interact with protons and their respective stability.

Periodic Trends

Periodic trends refer to the predictable patterns in the properties of elements as you move across or down the periodic table. For example, basicity generally increases down a group due to the increasing size and decreasing electronegativity of the elements. In comparing S2- and Se2-, one must consider their positions in the periodic table and how these trends affect their basicity.

Conjugate Acids

The concept of conjugate acids is essential for understanding basicity. When a base accepts a proton, it forms its conjugate acid. The stability of this conjugate acid influences the strength of the base; a more stable conjugate acid corresponds to a stronger base. In the case of S2- and Se2-, analyzing the stability of their conjugate acids (H2S and H2Se) helps determine which anion is the stronger base.