Resumen de The Solvated Proton is NOT H3O+!
In a recent article in this Journal, Ault stressed the importance of writing organic structures that show the correct predominant ionization form in aqueous solution at the given pH. For example, aqueous carboxylic acids at pH > 6 are predominantly deprotonated (RCOO–, not RCOOH) and amines at pH < 8 are protonated (RNH3+, not RNH2) and so forth. Ault also argues in favor of the use of H3O+ in place of H+(aq). Moore et al., in the same issue of this Journal, argue the very opposite: Because the specific polyatomic cation H3O+ does NOT actually exist in aqueous solution, it is both simpler and more realistic to use H+(aq). There are a number of reasons to agree with Moore et al. and favor the use of H+(aq).
