Question: For polyprotic acids, ionization constants for successive ionization steps decrease rapidly. That is,K a1 K a2 K a3 . The ionization constants for

For polyprotic acids, ionization constants for successive ionization steps decrease rapidly. That is,Ka1 ≫ Ka2 ≫ Ka3. The ionization constants for the first two steps in the ionization of [Fe(H2O)6]3+ (reactions 24.10 and 24.11) are more nearly equal in magnitude. Why does this multistep ionization seem not to follow the pattern for polyprotic acids?

Reaction 24.10

[Fe(HO)6]+ + HO = [FeOH(HO)5]2+ + H30+ Ka = 9  104 (24.10)

Reaction 24.11

[FeOH(HO)5]+ + HO [Fe(OH)2(HO)4] + H3O+ Ka = 5 x 10-4 a2 (24.11)

[Fe(HO)6]+ + HO = [FeOH(HO)5]2+ + H3O+ K =9 x 104 (24.10)

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