Superbase

In chemistry, a superbase is an extremely strong base. It is a compound that has a high affinity for protons.

Acids and bases
Diagrammatic representation of the dissociation of acetic acid in aqueous solution to acetate and hydronium ions.
  • Acceptor number
  • Acid
  • Acid–base reaction
  • Acid–base homeostasis
  • Acid strength
  • Acidity function
  • Amphoterism
  • Base
  • Buffer solutions
  • Dissociation constant
  • Donor number
  • Equilibrium chemistry
  • Extraction
  • Hammett acidity function
  • pH
  • Proton affinity
  • Self-ionization of water
  • Titration
  • Lewis acid catalysis
  • Frustrated Lewis pair
  • Chiral Lewis acid
Acid types
Base types

Hydroxide ion is the strongest base possible in water (aqueous) solutions, but superbases are much stronger than aqueous bases. Such bases are useful in organic synthesis and are fundamental to physical organic chemistry.

Superbases have been described and used since the 1850s.[1] Reactions involving superbases often require special techniques since they are destroyed by water, carbon dioxide, and oxygen in the air. Inert atmosphere techniques and low temperatures minimize these side reactions.

Definitions

IUPAC defines superbases simply as a "compound having a very high basicity, such as lithium diisopropylamide".[2]

References
  1. "BBC - h2g2 - History of chemistry - acids and bases". Retrieved 2009-08-30.
  2. "IUPAC Gold Book - superacid". Retrieved 2009-08-30.
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