sodium bicarbonate base? (1 Viewer)

[nikkiglitzy_25]

is sodium bicarbonate a base?

 

[BlueGas]

Haven't done Chem in ages but I think it's an amphoteric substance.

 

[leehuan]

Just wrong word BlueGas, it's amphiprotic.

@OP: In water, NaHCO3 does behave as a base. But consider the following equations:

Proton donor: NaHCO3 + NaOH -> Na2CO3 + H2O
Proton acceptor: NaHCO3 + HCl -> CO2 + H2O + NaCl

Clearly, the substance can behave as a Bronsted-Lowry acid, or base. Hence it is amphiprotic.

 

[helloimyellow]

Just wrong word BlueGas, it's amphiprotic.

@OP: In water, NaHCO3 does behave as a base. But consider the following equations:

Proton donor: NaHCO3 + NaOH -> Na2CO3 + H2O
Proton acceptor: NaHCO3 + HCl -> CO2 + H2O + NaCl

Clearly, the substance can behave as a Bronsted-Lowry acid, or base. Hence it is amphiprotic.

It's still amphoteric since it acts as both acid or base. I think all amphiprotic (proton donor or acceptor) are amphoteric (act as acid/base) but not all amphoteric substances are amphiprotic (eg zinc and aluminium oxides are amphoteric but not amphiprotic, cannot donate or accept protons).

 

[leehuan]

It's still amphoteric since it acts as both acid or base. I think all amphiprotic (proton donor or acceptor) are amphoteric (act as acid/base) but not all amphoteric substances are amphiprotic (eg zinc and aluminium oxides are amphoteric but not amphiprotic, cannot donate or accept protons).

This idea did come about me during the HSC, but I never really cared for it because it was adding to confusion. But you may be right.