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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
HNO2—NO2−
CN−HCN—
HClO4—ClO4−
F−HF—
OH−H2O—
COHCO+—
S2−HS−—
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