Acetic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide Neutralization

CH₃COOH + NaOH → CH₃COONa + H₂O

Overview

Acetic acid (vinegar) reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium acetate and water. Because acetic acid is a weak acid (Ka = 1.8 × 10⁻⁵), the resulting solution is slightly basic at the equivalence point due to acetate ion hydrolysis. The heat of neutralization is slightly less than for strong acid-strong base pairs.

Participants

Role	Substance	Coefficient	State
Reactant	Acetic Acid CH₃COOH	1	(aq)
Reactant	Sodium Hydroxide NaOH	1	(aq)
Product	Water H₂O	1	(l)

Everyday Example

Sodium acetate is used in hand warmers and hot ice demonstrations, where a supersaturated solution crystallizes exothermically.

Industrial Importance

Sodium acetate is used as a food preservative (E262), in the textile industry, and as a carbon source in wastewater treatment for biological nutrient removal.

Properties

Type: Acid-Base
Reversible: No
Energy: Exothermic
ΔH: -56.1 kJ/mol

Related Reactions

Acetic Acid and Sodium Acetate Buffer System Acetic Acid Dissociation in Water Aluminum Chloride and Chloride Ion (Lewis Acid-Base) Aluminum Hydroxide as Amphoteric Acid with NaOH Aluminum Hydroxide as Amphoteric Base with HCl Ammonia and Ammonium Chloride Buffer System Ammonia and Hydrochloric Acid Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide Barium Hydroxide and Ammonium Thiocyanate (Endothermic) Benzoic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Acetic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide Neutralization?

The balanced equation is: CH₃COOH + NaOH → CH₃COONa + H₂O.

What type of reaction is Acetic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide Neutralization?

Acetic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide Neutralization is a acid-base reaction.

Is Acetic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide Neutralization exothermic or endothermic?

Acetic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide Neutralization is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -56.1 kJ/mol.