What is the mechanism of action between between benzoic acid (C6H5COOH) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)?
I need to know where the electrons go in the acid-base reaction.
The mechanism of action between benzoic acid (C6H5COOH) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) involves an acid-base reaction. In this reaction, the acid (benzoic acid) donates a proton (H+) to the base (sodium bicarbonate) to form a salt, water, and carbon dioxide gas.
To understand where the electrons go in this acid-base reaction, you need to consider the Lewis electron-dot structures of the molecules involved. Lewis structures show the arrangement of electrons in a molecule and can help determine the movement of electrons during a reaction.
Let's break down the reaction step by step and look at the movement of electrons:
1. Benzoic acid (C6H5COOH) contains a carboxyl group (-COOH), which is a weak acid. It can release a proton (H+) when it reacts with a base.
2. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) acts as a base in this reaction. It contains a hydrogen atom bonded to a negatively charged carbonate ion (CO3^2-).
3. The acid-base reaction begins with the proton transfer. The carboxyl group of benzoic acid donates a proton (H+), while sodium bicarbonate accepts the proton.
- By donating a proton, benzoic acid loses its positive charge, and one of the oxygen atoms in the -COOH group gains a negative charge (partially negative).
- By accepting the proton, sodium bicarbonate gains a positive charge on the hydrogen atom, forming sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The carbonate ion (CO3^2-) remains unchanged.
4. As a result of the proton transfer, the benzoic acid is converted into its conjugate base, called the benzoate ion (C6H5COO^-), while sodium bicarbonate is converted into sodium benzoate (C6H5COONa) and water (H2O).
5. Additionally, the reaction also produces carbon dioxide (CO2) as a gas. The sodium bicarbonate reacts with the acidic proton to form carbonic acid (H2CO3), which is unstable and decomposes into carbon dioxide and water. The released carbon dioxide gas bubbles out of the reaction mixture.
To summarize, the mechanism of action between benzoic acid and sodium bicarbonate involves the transfer of a proton from the acid to the base, resulting in the formation of the benzoate ion, sodium benzoate, and water, while also producing carbon dioxide gas.