Here's the balanced chemical equation:
C₇H₆O₃ (salicylic acid) + NaOH (sodium hydroxide) → C₇H₅O₃Na (sodium salicylate) + H₂O (water)
Explanation:
* Salicylic acid (C₇H₆O₃) is a weak organic acid with a carboxyl group (-COOH) that can donate a proton (H⁺).
* Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a strong base that readily donates hydroxide ions (OH⁻).
When these two react, the hydroxide ion (OH⁻) from NaOH removes the acidic proton (H⁺) from the carboxyl group of salicylic acid, forming water (H₂O). The remaining sodium ion (Na⁺) bonds with the salicylate ion (C₇H₅O₃⁻) to form sodium salicylate (C₇H₅O₃Na).
Key points:
* The reaction is exothermic, meaning it releases heat.
* Sodium salicylate is a salt and is more soluble in water than salicylic acid. This reaction is often used to prepare a solution of sodium salicylate, which can be used in various applications, such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
* This reaction is an example of an acid-base reaction where a strong base neutralizes a weak acid.
Let me know if you have any further questions!
