1. Write the balanced molecular equation:
Aluminum acetate: Al(C₂H₃O₂)₃ (aq)
Lithium nitrate: LiNO₃ (aq)
The products will be aluminum nitrate (Al(NO₃)₃) and lithium acetate (LiC₂H₃O₂).
Balanced Molecular Equation:
Al(C₂H₃O₂)₃ (aq) + 3 LiNO₃ (aq) → Al(NO₃)₃ (aq) + 3 LiC₂H₃O₂ (aq)
2. Write the complete ionic equation:
This involves breaking down all soluble ionic compounds into their respective ions:
Al³⁺ (aq) + 3 C₂H₃O₂⁻ (aq) + 3 Li⁺ (aq) + 3 NO₃⁻ (aq) → Al³⁺ (aq) + 3 NO₃⁻ (aq) + 3 Li⁺ (aq) + 3 C₂H₃O₂⁻ (aq)
3. Identify and cancel out spectator ions:
Spectator ions are those that appear on both sides of the equation and don't participate in the reaction. In this case, Al³⁺, NO₃⁻, Li⁺, and C₂H₃O₂⁻ are all spectator ions.
4. Write the net ionic equation:
Since all ions cancel out, there is no net ionic equation for this reaction. This means that no reaction occurs when aqueous solutions of aluminum acetate and lithium nitrate are mixed.
Conclusion:
The reaction between aluminum acetate and lithium nitrate is a double displacement reaction that results in the formation of aluminum nitrate and lithium acetate. However, all the products and reactants are soluble and remain in solution as ions. Therefore, there is no net ionic equation because no precipitate or gas is formed.
