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Acids, Bases & Salts

Basic Buffer

A buffer made from a weak base and one of its salts, giving a pH above 7.

Formula / equation pOH = pKb + log([salt]/[base])
Unit Dimensionless

In depth

The weak base absorbs added acid while its conjugate cation releases protons to neutralise added base. Basic buffers are used wherever a stable alkaline environment is needed, such as in electroplating baths and many enzyme assays.

Examples in the real world

An ammonia and ammonium chloride mixture buffering near pH 9.25.