Does pKa vary as the temperature goes up?
SWIM was freebasing an alkaloid in water at ROOM TEMPERATURE. Today was an extra hot day. The alkaloid freebased at 1 pH point lower than it normally does. SWIM was baffled at first. He did it over and over just to make sure everything was done according to procedure. The procedure used was not altered in any way at all, and has been performed dozens of times with the same results until today. It’s about 20 C hotter than it usually is. He performs the freebasing at room temperature, so the water is 20 C hotter than it has been pretty much all the other times he’s freebased the alkaloid.
So, the only thing that changed is the room temperature so the water is approximately 20 C hotter than it’s been in the past. Does this alter the pKa of an alkaloid making it freebase at a lower pH? SWIM’s pH meter is perfectly calibrated. He’s using the same amount of water, the same amount of base, the same amount of alkaloid, etc., only today it freebased 1 pH point lower. Is the hot weather doing this?
You may remember me as 69Ron. I was suspended years ago for selling bunk products under false pretenses. I try to sneak back from time to time under different names, but unfortunately, the moderators of the DMT-Nexus are infinitely smarter than I am.
If you see me at the waterpark, please say hello. I'll be the delusional 50 something in the American flag Speedo, oiling up his monster guns while responding to imaginary requests for selfies from invisible teenage girls.