Caffeine (C8H10N4O2) is a stimulant found in coffees and teas. When dissolved in water, it can accept a proton from a water molecule. Write the chemical equation for this process and identify the Brønsted-Lowry acid and base

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Answer:

See figure 1

Explanation:

If we want to find the acid and the Brønsted-Lowry base, we must remember the definition for each of these molecules:

-) Acid: hydrogen donor

-) Base: hydrogen acceptor

In the caffeine structure, we have several atoms of nitrogen. These nitrogen atoms have the ability to accept hydronium ions ([tex]H^+[/tex]). Therefore the caffeine molecule will be the base since it can accept

If caffeine is the base, the water must be the acid. So, the water in this reaction donated a hydronium ion.

Thus, caffeine is the base and water the acid. (See figure 1)

Ver imagen jescaherga

In the reaction of caffeine with water, H₂O and C₈H₁₁N₄O₂⁺ are Brønsted-Lowry acids while C₈H₁₀N₄O₂ and OH⁻ are Brønsted-Lowry bases.

Caffeine reacts with water in an acid-base reaction. We want to identify acids and bases according to Brønsted-Lowry theory.

What is Brønsted-Lowry theory?

It is a theory that classifies substances as acids and bases according to their behavior in a reaction.

  • An acid is a species that donates H⁺.
  • A base is a species that accepts H⁺.

The chemical equation for the acid-base reaction between caffeine and water is:

C₈H₁₀N₄O₂ + H₂O ⇄ C₈H₁₁N₄O₂⁺ + OH⁻

C₈H₁₀N₄O₂ accepts a H⁺ so it is a base while H₂O donates a H⁺ so it is an acid. This reaction is reversible, so we can also state that C₈H₁₁N₄O₂⁺ is an acid because it donates a H⁺ and OH⁻ is a base because it accepts a H⁺.

In the reaction of caffeine with water, H₂O and C₈H₁₁N₄O₂⁺ are Brønsted-Lowry acids while C₈H₁₀N₄O₂ and OH⁻ are Brønsted-Lowry bases.

Learn more about Brønsted-Lowry acid base theory here: https://brainly.com/question/7256753