C6H8O7 + 3NaOH --> NaC6H5O7 + 3H2O
What is the question?
The equation balances and I assume the starting triprotic acid is citric acid?
The given chemical equation represents a reaction between citric acid (C6H8O7) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The products of this reaction are sodium citrate (NaC6H5O7) and water (H2O).
To balance this chemical equation, we need to make sure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. Here's how you can balance the equation step by step:
1. We start by counting the number of carbon atoms on each side. There are 6 carbon atoms in citric acid (C6H8O7) but only 1 carbon atom in sodium citrate (NaC6H5O7). To balance the carbon, we need to put a coefficient of 3 in front of sodium citrate:
C6H8O7 + 3NaOH → 3NaC6H5O7 + 3H2O
2. Next, let's balance the hydrogen atoms. There are 8 hydrogen atoms in citric acid (C6H8O7) and 15 hydrogen atoms in sodium citrate (NaC6H5O7). To balance the hydrogen, we need to add 7 molecules of water on the right-hand side of the equation:
C6H8O7 + 3NaOH → 3NaC6H5O7 + 7H2O
3. Finally, let's balance the oxygen atoms. There are 7 oxygen atoms in citric acid (C6H8O7) and 21 oxygen atoms in sodium citrate (NaC6H5O7). To balance the oxygen, we need to add 14 hydroxide ions (OH-) on the left-hand side of the equation which will react with 14 hydrogen ions (H+) from the citric acid to form 14 water molecules:
C6H8O7 + 3NaOH + 14H+ → 3NaC6H5O7 + 7H2O
Therefore, the balanced chemical equation is:
C6H8O7 + 3NaOH + 14H+ → 3NaC6H5O7 + 7H2O