NEUTRALISATION

What is Neutralization Reaction?

1. Chemical reaction in which an acid and base quantitatively react together to form a salt and
water as products.
2. In this reaction there is combination of the H+ & OH- ions which forms water.

ACID + BASE = H+OH- + SALT

3. This reactions are usually exothermic in nature. In exothermic reactions bonds are made and
energy is released to the surroundings.

Types of the Neutralization Reaction: -

1. Strong Acid & Strong Base.

2. Strong Acid & Weak Base.
3. Weak Acid & Strong Base
4. Weak Acid & Weak Base.

1. Strong Acid & Strong Base:

SA & SB dissociate entirely in aqueous solution. There are no any surplus ions present in the
resultant solution.
e.g.- SA- HCL, H2SO4 & SB - NAOH, KOH.

2. Strong Acid & Weak Base.

Weak base dissociates to a very less extent only 5 – 10 %, here amount of the OH- ions is very
less compared to the H+ ions available. Resultant solution is acidic (3-6).
e.g.- WB- Mg (OH)2, Ca (OH)2 etc.

3. Weak Acid & Strong Base:

OH- ion concentration is much higher than the H+ ions. Weak acid does not dissociate much in
the aqueous conditions. Resultant solution is basic (8-11).
e.g. – WA - Acetic acid & all other organic acids.

5. Weak Acid & Weak Base.

Here both acid & base both are weak so neither of them dissociates completely & so
neutralization does not occur.

Applications:
In Paint industry the neutralization reaction is used for adjustment of the pH necessary in order
to stabilize the latex.