A hydrolysis constant is an equilibrium constant for a hydrolysis reaction.
For example, if a metal salt such as AlCl3 dissolves in an aqueous solution, the metal cation behaves as a Lewis acid and hydrolyzes the water molecules in the solvent.
- Al3+ + 2H2O → AlOH2+ + H3O+
The hydrolysis constant for this reaction is as shown:
- Khydrolysis = * /
In a more generalized form, the hydrolysis constant can be described as:
- Ka = * /
where A- represents any base, and HA represents any acid.
Famous quotes containing the word constant:
“Man, so long as he remains free, has no more constant and agonizing anxiety than find as quickly as possible someone to worship.”
—Feodor Dostoyevsky (1821–1881)