Benzoic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide

C6H5COOH + NaOH → C6H5COONa + H2O

Overview

Benzoic acid, the simplest aromatic carboxylic acid, reacts with sodium hydroxide to form water-soluble sodium benzoate. Benzoic acid itself is poorly soluble in water but dissolves readily in base. This solubility difference is exploited in liquid-liquid extraction to separate acids from neutral compounds.

Participants

Role Substance Coefficient State
Reactant Benzoic Acid C₇H₆O₂ 1 (s)
Reactant Sodium Hydroxide NaOH 1 (aq)
Product Water H₂O 1 (l)

Everyday Example

Sodium benzoate (E211) is one of the most common food preservatives, found in soft drinks, pickles, and fruit juices.

Industrial Importance

Sodium benzoate is produced on a large scale for food and beverage preservation. It inhibits microbial growth effectively in acidic environments below pH 3.6.

Properties

Type
Acid-Base
Reversible
No
Energy
Exothermic
ΔH
-57.0 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 Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide Barium Hydroxide and Ammonium Thiocyanate (Endothermic)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Benzoic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide?
The balanced equation is: C₆H₅COOH + NaOH → C₆H₅COONa + H₂O.
What type of reaction is Benzoic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide?
Benzoic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide is a acid-base reaction.
Is Benzoic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide exothermic or endothermic?
Benzoic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -57.0 kJ/mol.