- Reactions
- - Acids
- Reaction with metals
- Reaction with carbonate
- Reaction with metal oxides
- Reaction with metal sulphides
- Esterification
- - Bases
- Neutralization reaction
- Reaction with metals
- Reaction with phosphorus
- Reaction with sulfur
- Saponification reaction
- Uses and examples
- - Acids
- Acetic acid
- Phosphoric acid
- Acetylsalicylic acid
- Retinoic acid
- Sulfuric acid
- Benzoic acid
- Propionic acid
- Carbonic acid
- Allylic acid
- Citric acid
- Hydrochloric acid
- Ascorbic acid
- - Bases
- Copper hydroxide
- Ammonia
- Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide
- Magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia) and aluminum hydroxide
- Calcium hydroxide
- References
The acids and bases in everyday life are those which are present in countless commercial products or foods we eat. They are identified either by their sour or soapy flavors, or by their ability to change the colors of litmus paper.
Most of the acids and bases that we encounter on a daily basis are from Bronsted-Lowry; that is, they can donate or accept H + protons, respectively. Acids have OH groups from which these H + are released, while bases donate OH - ions and neutralize the acids with which they come into contact.
Cleaning products are basic mixtures that help degrease surfaces. Source: Meganbeckett27
Acids and bases are found in the composition of practically all commercial products. Separately, the pH can be measured and the degree of acidity discovered. Thus, soaps and cleaning products are at the basic end, while milk, citrus, and grapes are at the acid end.
Their reactions are identical to those of any Bronsted-Lowry acid or base.
Reactions
- Acids
Reaction with metals
Acids can react with transition metals, creating a salt and releasing hydrogen (H 2). There is release of hydrogen if the metal is located to the left of hydrogen in the electrochemical series of metals:
2 Zn + 2 HCl => ZnCl 2 + H 2
Reaction with carbonate
Acids react with carbonate, forming a salt, water and releasing carbon dioxide:
Na 2 CO 3 + HCl => NaCl + CO 2 + H 2 O
Reaction with metal oxides
Acids react with metal oxides, causing salt and water:
Na 2 O + H 2 SO 4 => Na 2 SO 4 + H 2 O
Reaction with metal sulphides
Acids combine with metal sulfides to form a salt and hydrogen sulfide:
FeS + HCl => FeCl 2 + H 2 S
Esterification
In the esterification process, an acid reacts with an alcohol to form an ester and water.
CH 3 CH 2 OH + HCOOH => HCOOCH 2 CH 3 + H 2 O
- Bases
Neutralization reaction
An acid reacts with a base to form a salt and water. Therefore, this type of reaction involves acids and bases:
NaOH + HCl => NaCl + H 2 O
Reaction with metals
Sodium hydroxide reacts with some metals, such as zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), and titanium (Ti). In the case of aluminum, the reaction produces sodium tetrahydroxoaluminate and hydrogen, being a method to prepare hydrogen for use in hot air balloons:
2 Al + 2 NaOH + 6 H 2 O => 2 Na + 3 H 2
Reaction with phosphorus
Sodium hydroxide reacts with phosphorus to form sodium hypophosphate (NaH 2 PO 2) and phosphine (PH 3).
Reaction with sulfur
Sodium hydroxide reacts with sulfur, producing sodium sulfite (Na 2 SO 3), sodium sulfide (Na 2 S), and water.
Saponification reaction
Sodium hydroxide and / or potassium hydroxide are capable of hydrolyzing the fatty material to produce soap and glycerin. A soap is the sodium or potassium salt of derivatives of fatty acids.
Uses and examples
- Acids
Acetic acid
In diluted form it is used as a dressing for salads. It is also used in the preservation of food.
Phosphoric acid
It is one of the components added to soft drinks.
Acetylsalicylic acid
It is used as an analgesic and antipyretic.
Retinoic acid
It is applied topically to inhibit keratination. It is also used to treat certain types of acne.
Sulfuric acid
It is used in the batteries of motor vehicles.
Benzoic acid
It is used in the preservation of food. Its use is suitable in mayonnaise and canned products, sometimes appearing as sodium benzoate, a salt of benzoic acid.
Propionic acid
It is a food preservative compound. It works by preventing contamination with fungi and bacteria.
Carbonic acid
It is used in carbonated drinks and carbonated waters generating the effervescence of these drinks. However, carbonic acid does not exist as such, since it is in equilibrium with carbon dioxide and water. It is also used in the production of dry ice.
Allylic acid
Present in vegetables such as garlic and onion. It is a derivative of allicin. This acid has germicidal and antioxidant action.
Citric acid
It is used as a food additive, it has a role as a preservative, antioxidant and flavoring for sweets and soft drinks. It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry to produce effervescence and as an anticoagulant agent.
In addition, it is added to detergents and cleaning products to stabilize them and replace corrosive products.
Citric acid is present in metabolic processes of great importance; such is the case of the Krebs Cycle or Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle.
Likewise, it is present in numerous fruits such as lemon, orange, grapefruit, etc., which is why these fruits are called citrus.
Hydrochloric acid
It is used to remove metal oxides and limestone residues and other compounds in household bathrooms.
Gastric juice has a concentration of 0.1 M HCl and a pH close to 1. Hydrochloric acid is secreted by the parietal cells of the gastric wall and constitutes a medium for the action of pepsin, an enzyme that initiates the digestion of the ingested proteins.
Ascorbic acid
It is an enantiomer of vitamin C. This vitamin is an antioxidant that contributes to the elimination of free radicals. In addition, it intervenes in the growth and repair of body tissues, contributing to the healing of wounds and the formation of scar tissue.
Vitamin C is used regularly in the treatment of the common cold; and although it seems that it does not exert any therapeutic action, it does so preventively.
- Bases
Copper hydroxide
Mixed with latex it is used to control and improve the growth of potted plants.
Ammonia
It is used in cleaning the home.
Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide
They are used to unclog pipes, since they react with fats and dissolve them when they saponify.
Magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia) and aluminum hydroxide
They are antacids that are used together in heartburn, acid indigestion and stomach upset in patients with peptic ulcer, gastritis, esophagitis, and hiatal hernia.
Calcium hydroxide
It is used in the repair of caries, necessary to restore the protection of the dental pulp.
References
- Whitten, Davis, Peck & Stanley. (2008). Chemistry (8th ed.). CENGAGE Learning.
- Encyclopedia of Examples (2019). Acids and bases. Recovered from: examples.co
- Emily V. Eames. (June 16, 2018). Acid-Base Reactions. Chemistry LibreTexts. Recovered from: chem.libretexts.org
- StudiousGuy. (2019). Acids and Bases We Use In Everyday Life. Recovered from: studiousguy.com
- Anthony Carpi, Ph.D.. (2019). Acids and Bases: An Introduction. Recovered from: visionlearning.com