Given:
$(i) \ HCN_{(aq)} + H_2O_{(l)} \rightleftharpoons H_3O^{+}_{(aq)} + CN^{-}_{(aq)}$
$K_a = 6.2 \times 10^{-10}$
$(ii) \ CN^{-}_{(aq)} + H_2O_{(l)} \rightleftharpoons HCN_{(aq)} + OH^{-}_{(aq)}$
$K_b = 1.6 \times 10^{-5}$
These equilibria show the following order of the relative base strength:

  • A
    $OH^{-} > H_2O > CN^{-}$
  • B
    $OH^{-} > CN^{-} > H_2O$
  • C
    $H_2O > CN^{-} > OH^{-}$
  • D
    $CN^{-} > H_2O > OH^{-}$

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