Neutralization Reactions

The reactants in a neutralization are always an acid and a base.  Acids begin with the hydrogen ion.  (HCl, HNO₃, H₂SO₄ are acids.)  Bases usually end with the hydroxide ion, OH-.  (NaOH, KOH, Ca(OH)₂ are bases.)

The products of a neutralization reaction are water, H₂O or HOH, and a salt.

Acid + Base ---->  Water +  Salt

Examples:

1.  HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) --> ???

• First, recognize that this is a form of a double replacement reaction;  it is a neutralization reaction, however, because we begin with an acid and a base.

• Predict the products of the reaction in words:

Hydrogen Chloride +  Sodium Hydroxide --->  Hydrogen Hydroxide (water)  + Sodium Chloride

• Using your ion chart, write correct formulas for all of the chemicals above.

HCl + NaOH --->  H₂O  + NaCl

• To add detail to your equation, add phase notation as shown below.

HCl_(aq) + NaOH_(aq) --->  H₂O_(l) + NaCl_(aq)

• _{Check to see if the equation is balanced.  Add coefficients as needed.}

2.  KOH(aq) + H₃PO_4(aq) --> ???

• First, recognize that this is a form of a double replacement reaction;  it is a neutralization reaction, however, because we begin with an acid and a base.

• Predict the products of the reaction in words:

Potassium Hydroxide +  Hydrogen Phosphate --->  Hydrogen Hydroxide (water)  + Potassium Phosphate

• Using your ion chart, write correct formulas for all of the chemicals above.

KOH + H₃PO₄ --->  H₂O  + K₃PO₄

• To add detail to your equation, add phase notation as shown below.

KOH_(aq)+ H₃PO_4(aq) --->  H₂O_(l) + K₃PO_4(aq)

• _{Check to see if the equation is balanced.  Add coefficients as needed.}

3KOH_(aq)+ H₃PO_4(aq) --->  3H₂O_(l) + K₃PO_4(aq)