Sodium Hydroxide and Acetic Acid

NaOH + CH₃COOH → CH₃COONa + H₂O

Overview

Sodium hydroxide reacts with acetic acid to form sodium acetate and water. Since acetic acid is a weak acid, this neutralization produces a basic solution (pH about 8.9) 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	Sodium Hydroxide NaOH	1	(aq)
Reactant	Acetic Acid CH₃COOH	1	(aq)
Product	Water H₂O	1	(l)

Everyday Example

Sodium acetate hand warmers work by supercooling a sodium acetate solution and triggering crystallization, which releases stored heat.

Industrial Importance

Sodium acetate is used in the textile industry as a buffer, in food preservation (E262), and in concrete sealing. It is also used as a carbon source in biological nutrient removal.

Properties

Type: Double Replacement
Reversible: No
Energy: Exothermic
ΔH: -56.1 kJ/mol

Related Reactions

Aluminum Hydroxide and Hydrochloric Acid Ammonia and Hydrochloric Acid (White Smoke) Barium Chloride and Sodium Sulfate Precipitation Calcium Carbonate and Hydrochloric Acid Calcium Chloride and Sodium Carbonate Calcium Hydroxide and Carbon Dioxide (Limewater Test) Calcium Hydroxide and Sulfuric Acid Copper(II) Sulfate and Sodium Hydroxide Iron(III) Chloride and Sodium Hydroxide Lead Nitrate and Potassium Iodide (Golden Rain)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Sodium Hydroxide and Acetic Acid?

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

What type of reaction is Sodium Hydroxide and Acetic Acid?

Sodium Hydroxide and Acetic Acid is a double replacement reaction.

Is Sodium Hydroxide and Acetic Acid exothermic or endothermic?

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