Answer to Question #261909 in Organic Chemistry for Sahil

Question

Explain why H+ and OH- have exceptionally high ionic mobility in Aqueous media. Show schematically.

Answer 1

The main reason for this is the fact that H+ has an exceptionally high conductivity. At least when compared to the ideally predicted values.

This phenomenon can be explained with an understanding of the Grotthuss Mechanism. According to this explanation, the proton diffuses through the hydrogen bond network of the water molecules. The H+ basically is relayed along a chain of water molecules.