The World's Strongest Acid: Carborane Acids

TLDRCarborane acids are the strongest known acids in the world, surpassing even sulfuric and fluorosulfuric acid. They exhibit their strength across solid, liquid, and gas phases. Despite their strength, carborane acids are relatively gentle and leave behind non-reactive conjugate bases. Their superiority as acids is determined by factors such as proton affinity and the Hammett acidity function. Carborane acids have unique properties that make them stand out among other strong acids.

Key insights

🔥Carborane acids are the strongest known acids, surpassing other strong acids like sulfuric acid.

🌡️Carborane acids are superior in strength across solid, liquid, and gas phases.

💪Carborane acids have higher proton affinity and Hammett acidity function values, indicating their strength as acids.

🌱Despite their strength, carborane acids leave behind non-reactive conjugate bases.

🔬The measurement of carborane acid's strength involves techniques such as proton affinity and Hammett acidity function calculations.

Q&A

Why are carborane acids considered the strongest acids?

Carborane acids exhibit superior strength in terms of proton affinity, Hammett acidity function values, and their ability to readily donate protons.

How do carborane acids compare to other strong acids like sulfuric acid?

Carborane acids surpass other strong acids like sulfuric acid in terms of strength, regardless of whether they are in solid, liquid, or gas form.

Do carborane acids leave behind reactive conjugate bases?

No, carborane acids leave behind non-reactive conjugate bases, which is why they are considered gentle despite their strength.

What techniques are used to measure the strength of carborane acids?

Proton affinity and Hammett acidity function calculations are some techniques used to measure the strength of carborane acids.

What makes carborane acids unique among strong acids?

Carborane acids have unique properties such as their structure and non-reactive conjugate bases, setting them apart from other strong acids.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Carborane acids are the strongest acids in the world.

06:00The strength of carborane acids is determined by proton affinity and Hammett acidity function values.

10:00Carborane acids leave behind non-reactive conjugate bases.