Potentiometric Investigation of the Weak Association of Sodium and Carbonate Ions at 25°C

The weak association between sodium and carbonate ions has been investigated at 25°C using high-precision sodium ion-selective electrode potentiometry in solutions of ionic strength ranging from 0.5 to 7.0 M in CsCl and in 1.0 M Me₄NCl media. The protonation constants of CO₃^2- (aq) were also measured, using a H⁺-responsive glass electrode in 1.0 M Me₄NCl and NaCl. The value of the ion-pair association constant calculated from the difference in the protonation constants in these two media was in excellent agreement with that obtained from the Na⁺ISE measurements. Evidence is also presented for the formation of extremely weak ion pairs between Na⁺ and HCO₃^- and between Cs⁺ and CO₃^2-.