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Marcos Esteban

Which make HCO3- to show two pH values at two scenarios?

According to the below two titrations,

pH titration-1

pH titration-2

Image Reference

If we consider the reactions, at the first reaction (in first figure after adding 1.0), there is $\ce{HCO3-, NaCl,}$ and $\ce{H2O}$ at the first equivalence point. At the second one (after adding 1.0), there is $\ce{HCO3-,}$ and $\ce{H2O, Cl-}$ at the first equivalence point. $\ce{HCO3-}$ only affect to the $\mathrm{pH}$ of the medium. But,

  • According to the first figure, $\ce{HA- + H2O → H2A + OH-}$ it acts as a base
  • According to the second figure, $\ce{HA– + H2O → A2– + H3O+}$ it acts as a acid

I am doubtful on why do $\ce{HCO3-}$ perform as two types at these different situations? Do anything in the medium manipulate $\ce{HCO3-}$ to work as a base or an acid? How to describe these two scenarios? Generally I can't see a theoretical method for describe it.

I searched this in so many resources, but I couldn't find a satisfied answer. So, I hope a theoretical answer, for this problem, not a mathematical description.

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