Paper: CSIR-NET June 2013 · Subject: Inorganic Chemistry · Chapter: Acids and Bases · Topic: Acids & Bases – General · Marks: 2 · Difficulty: Easy
The compound that will behave as an acid in $\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}$ is
(a)$\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{COOH}$
(b)$\mathrm{HNO}_{3}$
(c)$\mathrm{HClO}_{4}$
(d)$\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}$
Answer
Answer: C ✓ checked by 4AB · confidence high
The source book printed B; on checking, C is correct — see the explanation.
Printed B; HNO₃ is protonated by H₂SO₄ (it forms NO₂⁺), i.e. it acts as a base.
Explanation
Only an acid stronger than H₂SO₄ can protonate it. HClO₄ does (HClO₄ + H₂SO₄ → ClO₄⁻ + H₃SO₄⁺); CH₃COOH, HNO₃ and H₂O all act as bases in sulphuric acid.