 Buffers are compounds or mixtures of compounds

that by their presence in solution, resist changes in

pH upon the addition of small quantities of acid or
alkali
The resistance to a change in pH is known as buffer
action.

The amount of acid/ base required to produce a unit

change in pH in the solution is known as buffer
capacity
Characteristics of buffers
 Buffers have a definite pH value
 The pH value of the buffer does not alter either on
keeping for long periods or on dilution
 The pH value of the buffer is very slightly altered
by the addition of small quantities of acid and
bases
Application
Enhancing solubility

If the pH of a solution is not adjusted properly, drug

present in the solution may ppt.

Ex- sodium salicylate ppt as salicylic acid when

acidified
 Increasing stability

Many drugs get hydrolyzed in aqueous solutions.

Adjusting the pH of solution stabilize such drugs

Ex- vitamins are stable only within a narrow range

pH
 Suitable buffers is selected for optimum stability
 Optimizing biological activity

Enzyme have maximum activity at definite pH value

Ex- Pepsin has maximum activity at pH 1.5

 Comforting the body

some of the solutions when applied to tissues cause

irritation, if their pH is greatly different from normal pH
of the relevant body fluid.
 Eyes
 Blood
 Abraded surfaces (burning sensation)

The pH of the preparation must match with the pH of

physiological fluids
Types of Buffer Solutions

 Acidic buffer solutions

 Basic buffer solutions
 Phosphate Buffers (Double salt buffers)
 Acidic buffer solutions

Acidic buffers are solutions that have a pH below 7 and

contain a weak acid and one of its salts with a strong
base

For example, a mixture of acetic acid and sodium acetate

acts as a buffer solution with a pH of about 4.75.
 Alkaline buffer solutions

Alkaline buffers have a pH above 7 and contain a

weak base and one of its salts with a strong acid

For example, a mixture of ammonium chloride and

ammonium hydroxide acts as a buffer solution with
a pH of about 9.25.
  Phosphate Buffers (Double salt buffers)

 Besides the two general types of buffers (i.e. acidic

& basic), a third appears to exist.

 This is buffer system composed of two salts:

1.Monobasic potassium phosphate (KH2PO4)
2.Dibasic potassium phosphate (K2HPO4).
 Buffer equation
Henderson- Hasselbalch equation
Two separate equations are obtained for each type
of buffer

Henderson equation for Acid buffer

Henderson equation for Basic buffer

Henderson- Hasselbalch equation
An acid buffer, acetic acid and sodium acetate, is considered
for deriving the buffer equation

 The ionization equilibrium equation for weak acid (acetic acid) may be
shown as
C H3 COOH + H2O ⇌ H3O + + C H3 COO –
(Aceate ion) conjugate base

Applying the law of mass action, the acid dissociation constant is written as

-------- 1
Henderson- Hasselbalch equation
When sodium acetate is added to acetic acid. The equation 1 is momentarily
disturbed

 Since salt also supplies the acetate ion, the term [CH3 COO – ] in the
numerator increases.

 In order to reestablish the constant ka at 1.75 x 10-5, the hydronium ion

H3O + in the numerator instantaneously decreases

C H3 COO – + H3O H2O + + C H3 COOH

The pH of the final solution may be obtained by rearranging equation ----1

------------------ 2
Henderson- Hasselbalch equation

 Since the acid is weak and ionizes slightly, [CH3 COOH] may remain
unaltered.
Hence [CH3 COOH] = acid

 Since salt is completely ionized, the entire [CH3 COO–] may be obtained
directly from the salt and be written as salt.

Hence [C H3 COO – ] = salt

 Substituting them in eq– 2

Henderson- Hasselbalch equation
Taking log of equation (3) and reversing the signs are

pH = - log [H3O +] and

pKa = - log Ka
By substituting these values in eq (4) gives

(Buffer equation for acid buffer)

(Buffer equation for basic buffer)

Application
Definite pH solution

For a definite pH solution, it is essential to add salt and

acid (or base) to water in desired ratio. This is
determined by buffer equation

Predicting drug absorption

Buffer equation permit the calculation of the percent of
drug unionized or ionized in the solution.
Only unionized molecules can penetrate cell membrane
more readily than ionized form
Application
 The pKa of various drugs can be determined from
pH of solution

 The solubility of a substances at any pH can be

predicted

 A suitable salt forming substances can be selected

based on buffer equation
Buffer capacity