e. Example. FeBO3.
(1) The first element, iron, comes from the base Fe(OH)3, and since its
valence is +3, it is a weak base.
(2)
The borate radical comes from boric acid, which is a weak acid.
(3) Thus, this is a neutral salt, since it is the product of a reaction between a
weak acid and a weak base.
f. Importance of Type of Salt. The type of salt is very important when a salt is
used medicinally, since the body maintains a specific acidity in the tissues and fluids.
The type of salt is also important in the prediction and understanding of
incompatibilities. It is important for you to identify the type of salt from its formula. The
importance and use of the type will become clear to you as you progress through the
course.
Table 2-2. Salt types resulting from various acid-base combinations.
2-10. pH AND ACIDITY
In discussing acids, bases, and salts, we often refer to a solution or compound
being acidic, neutral, or basic in a qualitative manner. This concept is useful to us in a
general sense, but would be of much greater value if we could speak in quantitative
terms. It would be valuable if we could answer the question of how acidic one solution
is in relation to another solution.
a. pH. The solution to this problem is not as difficult as it may seem. Acids
donate protons (hydrogen ions, H +) in solution. Thus, the acidity of a solution must be
related to this property.
MD0803
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