A neutralization is a chemical reaction in which the reactants are an acid and a base , and the products are a salt and water . It is called “neutralization” because the acids have a low pH, lower than 7, and the bases have a high pH, ??higher than 7. When put in contact, they are chemically counteracted, and if they go in the same proportions, the pH of the result will be neutral , 7.
The acids that participate in the neutralization reactions can be inorganic acids , such as hydrochloric HCl, which are generally strong, or organic acids , such as formic H-COOH, which are usually weak. On the other hand, the most commonly used bases are inorganic bases , such as sodium hydroxide NaOH and calcium hydroxide Ca (OH) 2 , which is strong.
The chemical equation of a neutralization reaction has the following form:
Acid + Base -> Salt + Water
HCl + NaOH -> NaCl + H 2 O
HCOOH + NaOH -> HCOONa + H 2 I
Neutralization reactions are used in industry when there is leakage of an acid or a base, since each in its concentrated state is a corrosive substance, dangerous for a human being to have contact with it. The procedure for this neutralization is standardized and consists of several steps:
- Delimit the area with standardized yellow tape.
- Designate the staff that will be responsible for the neutralization.
- Personnel in charge put on personal protective equipment.
- The substance that counteracts the spill will be poured. If it is an acid, a base is poured, and vice versa.
- The reaction is allowed to occur, preventing more people from intervening.
- When the reaction is over, water is poured, to dilute the substances.
- The liquid is transported to a drain.
- The area is washed so that there is no longer a residue that can react.
- The signage is removed and the daily activities are returned.
Examples of neutralization
1.- Hydrochloric acid HCl with sodium hydroxide NaOH.
HCl + NaOH -> NaCl + H 2 O
2.- Hydrochloric acid HCl with potassium hydroxide KOH.
HCl + KOH -> KCl + H 2 O
3. Hydrobromic acid HBr with sodium hydroxide NaOH.
HBr + NaOH -> NaBr + H 2 O
4. Hydrobromic acid HBr with potassium hydroxide KOH.
HBr + KOH -> KBr + H 2 O
5.- Sulfuric acid H 2 SO 4 with sodium hydroxide NaOH.
H 2 SO 4 + 2NaOH -> Na 2 SO 4 + 2H 2 O
6.- Sulfuric acid H 2 SO 4 with potassium hydroxide KOH.
H 2 SO 4 + 2KOH -> K 2 SO 4 + 2H 2 O
7.- Sulfuric acid H 2 SO 4 with magnesium hydroxide Mg (OH) 2 .
H 2 SO 4 + Mg (OH) 2 -> MgSO 4 + 2H 2 O
8.- Sulfuric acid H 2 SO 4 with calcium hydroxide Ca (OH) 2 .
H 2 SO 4 + Ca (OH) 2 -> MgSO 4 + 2H 2 O
9.- Hydrogen sulphide H 2 S with magnesium hydroxide Mg (OH) 2 .
H 2 S + Mg (OH) 2 -> MgS + 2H 2 O
10.- Hydrogen sulphide H 2 S with calcium hydroxide Ca (OH) 2 .
H 2 S + Ca (OH) 2 -> CaS + 2H 2 O
11.- Formic acid HCOOH with sodium hydroxide NaOH.
HCOOH + NaOH -> HCOONa + H 2 O
12.- Formic acid HCOOH with potassium hydroxide KOH.
HCOOH + KOH -> HCOOK + H 2 O
13.- Formic acid HCOOH with magnesium hydroxide Mg (OH) 2 .
2HCOOH + Mg (OH) 2 -> (HCOO) 2 Mg + 2H 2 O
14.- Formic acid HCOOH with calcium hydroxide Ca (OH) 2 .
2HCOOH + Ca (OH) 2 -> (HCOO) 2 Ca + 2H 2 O
15.- Acetic acid CH 3 COOH with sodium hydroxide NaOH.
CH 3 COOH + NaOH -> CH 3 COONa + H 2O
16.- Acetic acid CH 3 COOH with potassium hydroxide KOH.
CH 3 COOH + KOH -> CH 3 COOK + H 2 O
17.- Acetic acid CH 3 COOH with magnesium hydroxide Mg (OH) 2 .
2CH 3 COOH + Mg (OH) 2 -> (CH 3 COO) 2Mg + 2H 2 O
18.- Acetic acid CH 3 COOH with calcium hydroxide Ca (OH) 2 .
2CH 3 COOH + Ca (OH) 2 -> (CH 3 COO) 2Ca + 2H 2 O
