The pKs of succinic acid are 4.21 and 5.64. How many grams of monosodium succinate (FW = 140 g/mol) and disodium succinate (FW = 162 g/mol) must be added to 1 L of water to produce a solution with a pH 5.28 and a total solute concentration of 100 mM? (Assume the total volume remains 1 liter, answer in grams monosodium succinate, grams disodium succinate, respectively.)

9.744g of monosodium succinate.

4.925g of disodium succinate.

Explanation:

To find pH of the buffer produced by the mixture of monosodium succinate-Disodium succinate is obtained from H-H equation:

pH = pKa + log ([Na₂Suc] / [NaHSuc])

As you want a pH of 5.28 and pKa is 5.64:

5.28 = 5.64 + log ([Na₂Suc] / [NaHSuc])

-0.36 = log ([Na₂Suc] / [NaHSuc])

0.4365 = ([Na₂Suc] / [NaHSuc]) (1)

As total concentration of the buffer is 100mM = 0.100M:

0.100M = [Na₂Suc] + [NaHSuc] (2)

Replacing (2) in (1):

0.4365 = (0.100M - [NaHSuc] / [NaHSuc])

0.4365 = (0.100M - [NaHSuc] / [NaHSuc])

0.4365 [NaHSuc] = 0.100M - [NaHSuc]

1.4365 [NaHSuc] = 0.100M

[NaHSuc] = 0.0696M

And:

[Na₂Suc] = 0.0304M

As volume of the buffer is 1L:

[NaHSuc] = 0.0696 moles

[Na₂Suc] = 0.0304 moles

Using molar mass of both substances:

Mass of monosodium succinate:

0.0696moles * (140g / 1mol) = 9.744g of monosodium succinate.

Mass of disodium succinate:

0.0304moles * (162g / 1mol) = 4.925g of disodium succinate.