Tin Reacting with Hydrochloric Acid

Sn + 2HCl → SnCl2 + H2

Overview

Tin reacts slowly with hydrochloric acid to produce tin(II) chloride (stannous chloride) and hydrogen gas. Tin is relatively low in the activity series, so the reaction is sluggish at room temperature but proceeds at a reasonable rate when heated.

Participants

Role Substance Coefficient State
Reactant Tin Sn 1 (s)
Reactant Hydrochloric Acid HCl 2 (aq)
Product Hydrogen H 1 (g)

Everyday Example

Tin cans (steel coated with tin) are resistant to food acids partly because tin reacts slowly with acids, protecting the steel underneath.

Industrial Importance

Tin(II) chloride is used as a reducing agent in analytical chemistry, in tin electroplating, and as a sensitizer in silvering mirrors.

Properties

Type
Single Replacement
Reversible
No
Energy
Exothermic
ΔH
-80.4 kJ/mol

Related Reactions

Aluminum Reacting with Hydrochloric Acid Aluminum Reacting with Iron(III) Oxide (Thermite) Aluminum Reducing Chromium Oxide (Aluminothermic) Calcium Reacting with Water Carbon Reducing Iron Oxide in Blast Furnace Chlorine Displacing Bromine from Sodium Bromide Chlorine Displacing Iodine from Potassium Iodide Copper Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate Fluorine Displacing Chlorine from Sodium Chloride Hydrogen Reducing Copper Oxide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Tin Reacting with Hydrochloric Acid?
The balanced equation is: Sn + 2HCl → SnCl₂ + H₂.
What type of reaction is Tin Reacting with Hydrochloric Acid?
Tin Reacting with Hydrochloric Acid is a single replacement reaction.
Is Tin Reacting with Hydrochloric Acid exothermic or endothermic?
Tin Reacting with Hydrochloric Acid is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -80.4 kJ/mol.