How Solvents Limit Acid and Base Strength

The leveling effect explains how a solvent can limit acid and base strength in solution. In acid-base chemistry, the solvent sets a ceiling on how strong an acid or base can act. Stronger acids or bases may react with the solvent itself instead of with the intended compound.

When a base is strong...

In an acid–base reaction, when a base stronger than the conjugate base of the solvent is used, it deprotonates the solvent to produce the conjugate base. Over time, the base gets completely consumed, making it unavailable to deprotonate any acid that is weaker than the solvent.

Similarly, if an acid stronger than the conjugate acid of the...