Answer : The conjugate base of propanoic acid, [tex]CH_3CH_2COOH[/tex] is, [tex]CH_3CH_2COO^-[/tex]
Explanation :
According to the conjugate acid-base pair theory, an acid is a proton donor and a base is a proton acceptor.
The balanced conjugate acid-base pair reaction will be,
[tex]CH_3CH_2COOH+H_2O\rightleftharpoons H_3O^++CH_3CH_2COO^-[/tex]
In this reaction, [tex]CH_3CH_2COOH[/tex] is a weak acid which donate a proton to [tex]H_2O[/tex] which is a weak base to form [tex]CH_3CH_2COO^-[/tex] as a conjugate base and [tex]H_3O^+[/tex] as a conjugate acid.
Hence, the conjugate base of propanoic acid, [tex]CH_3CH_2COOH[/tex] is, [tex]CH_3CH_2COO^-[/tex]
