1. Hydrolysis of the Anion:
- Sodium acetate in solution dissociates into sodium ions (Na+) and acetate ions (CH₃COO-).
- The acetate ion, being the conjugate base of a weak acid (acetic acid, CH₃COOH), undergoes hydrolysis in water.
- It reacts with water molecules to produce hydroxide ions (OH-) and acetic acid:
```
CH₃COO⁻ + H₂O ⇌ CH₃COOH + OH⁻
```
- The production of hydroxide ions makes the solution basic.
2. pH of the Solution:
- The hydrolysis of acetate ions leads to an increase in the hydroxide ion concentration, resulting in a pH greater than 7.
- A pH greater than 7 indicates a basic solution.
3. Salt of Strong Base and Weak Acid:
- Sodium acetate is formed from the reaction of a strong base (sodium hydroxide, NaOH) and a weak acid (acetic acid, CH₃COOH).
- Salts formed from a strong base and a weak acid are typically basic.
In summary:
Sodium acetate is considered a basic salt due to the hydrolysis of its acetate anion, which produces hydroxide ions and increases the pH of the solution. The formation of a basic solution is a characteristic of salts formed from a strong base and a weak acid.
