Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide

C6H8O6 + NaOH → NaC6H7O6 + H2O

Overview

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium ascorbate and water. Despite its name, ascorbic acid is a moderately weak acid (pKa = 4.17) due to the enediol structure that stabilizes the conjugate base through resonance. Sodium ascorbate is better tolerated by the stomach than ascorbic acid.

Participants

Role Substance Coefficient State
Reactant Ascorbic Acid C₆H₈O₆ 1 (aq)
Reactant Sodium Hydroxide NaOH 1 (aq)
Product Water H₂O 1 (l)

Everyday Example

Sodium ascorbate supplements are marketed as buffered vitamin C for people who experience stomach upset from regular ascorbic acid tablets.

Industrial Importance

Sodium ascorbate is used as a food antioxidant (E301), in meat curing to accelerate color development, and in photography as a developing agent.

Properties

Type
Acid-Base
Reversible
No
Energy
Exothermic
ΔH
-53.0 kJ/mol

Related Reactions

Acetic Acid and Sodium Acetate Buffer System Acetic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide Neutralization 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 Barium Hydroxide and Ammonium Thiocyanate (Endothermic) Benzoic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide?
The balanced equation is: C₆H₈O₆ + NaOH → NaC₆H₇O₆ + H₂O.
What type of reaction is Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide?
Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide is a acid-base reaction.
Is Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide exothermic or endothermic?
Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -53.0 kJ/mol.