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Why don't monobasic acids form acid salts?

Why is it that monobasic acids do not form acid salts?

Ephra Namyalo

2006

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2006

Hi Ephra.
Teachers ask us to please try to not give an answer until the student understands the question ... and I'm pretty sure you don't yet quite understand the words you you are using. So consider this ...

An example of a monobasic or monoprotic acid is hydrochloric acid, HCl. Suppose you neutralize it with a base like NaOH:
HCl + NaOH -> HOH + NaCl
You get water and table salt. Table salt is not an acid salt, essentially because there is no H left in it.

An example of a dibasic or diprotic acid is sulfuric acid, H2SO4. Depending on what you mix it with and how, it is possible for the resulting salts to be NaHSO4, an acid salt, essentially because there is H left in it. For example:
H2SO4 + NaOH -> NaHSO4 + HOH

If you're starting to get it, but it's not completely clear, please look up the meaning of "monobasic acid" and "acid salt", and I'm pretty sure you'll understand it  🙂

Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
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