New point of view on the meaning and on the values of Ka○(H3O+, H2O) and Kb○(H2O, OH–) pairs in water

Abstract

An argument which leads to the conclusion that K_a^○(H₃O⁺, H₂O) and K_b^○(H₂O, OH^–) in water are artificial concepts is given. This results from the fact that their definitions involve no actual thermodynamic process. On the other hand, K_b^○(H₃O⁺, H₂O) and K_a^○(H₂O, OH^–) are related to actual thermodynamic processes and are therefore meaningful concepts.