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What is meant by the conjugate acid-base pair? Find the conjugate acid/base for the following species: HNO2, CN , HClO4,F,OH,CO and S2

Updated On: Jan 20, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Conjugate acid–base pair:

According to the Brønsted–Lowry concept, a conjugate acid–base pair consists of two species that differ by one proton (H+).

• An acid loses a proton to form its conjugate base
• A base gains a proton to form its conjugate acid.


Conjugate acid/base of the given species:


(i) HNO2

HNO2 ⇌ H+ + NO2

Conjugate base: NO2


(ii) CN

CN + H+ ⇌ HCN

Conjugate acid: HCN


(iii) HClO4

HClO4 ⇌ H+ + ClO4

Conjugate base: ClO4


(iv) F

F + H+ ⇌ HF

Conjugate acid: HF


(v) OH

OH + H+ ⇌ H2O

Conjugate acid: H2O


(vi) CO

CO + H+ ⇌ HCO+

Conjugate acid: HCO+


(vii) S2−

S2− + H+ ⇌ HS

Conjugate acid: HS


Summary Table: 

SpeciesConjugate AcidConjugate Base
HNO2NO2
CNHCN
HClO4ClO4
FHF
OHH2O
COHCO+
S2−HS
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