Question

Describe a way to prepare an acetic acid/sodium acetate buffer solution that has an acid-neutralizing capacity twice as great as its base-neutralizing capacity. What about three times as great?

Answer 1

In acetic acid and sodium acetate buffer, the acid neutralization is due to conjugate base form i.e. sodium acetate (NaOAc) and base neutralization is due to acid i.e. acetic acid (HOAc)

So, for acid neutralizing capacity to be triple of base neutralizing capacity, the [NaOAc] should be 2 times that of [HOAc].

This can be prepared by mixing equal volumes of 0.2 M NaOAc and 0.1 M HOAc.

For three times acid neutralizing capacity:

[NaOAc] should be three times [HOAc]

This can be prepared by mixing equal volumes of 0.3 M NaOAc and 0.1 M HOAc solutions.