Oxalic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide

H2C2O4 + 2NaOH → Na2C2O4 + 2H2O

Overview

Oxalic acid is a diprotic organic acid that reacts with two equivalents of sodium hydroxide to form sodium oxalate and water. Oxalic acid is the simplest dicarboxylic acid and is used as a primary standard in acid-base titrations due to its high purity and stability.

Participants

Role Substance Coefficient State
Reactant Oxalic Acid C₂H₂O₄ 1 (aq)
Reactant Sodium Hydroxide NaOH 2 (aq)
Product Water H₂O 2 (l)

Everyday Example

Oxalic acid is found naturally in rhubarb, spinach, and star fruit. Kidney stones can form from calcium oxalate when dietary oxalate is high.

Industrial Importance

Sodium oxalate is used as a primary standard in analytical chemistry, in metal cleaning, and in the leather tanning process.

Properties

Type
Acid-Base
Reversible
No
Energy
Exothermic
ΔH
-116.0 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 Oxalic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide?
The balanced equation is: H₂C₂O₄ + 2NaOH → Na₂C₂O₄ + 2H₂O.
What type of reaction is Oxalic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide?
Oxalic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide is a acid-base reaction.
Is Oxalic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide exothermic or endothermic?
Oxalic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -116.0 kJ/mol.