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View Full Version : Urgent reactant and balancing problem


Sunnyrascal
Jul 27, 2006, 08:50 PM
Write a balanced equation for the excess reaction of oxalic acid ( H2C2O4) with potassium hydroxide. So far I have H2C2O4 + KOH --> H20 + ?

aspire82
Aug 28, 2006, 10:36 PM
This sounds like a h/w problem, you should learn to do it. The chapter on redox chemistry should explain how to thoroughly balance equations. Honestly, two to three hours an you'll know enough to be proficient with basic problems.

- Tony

kp2171
Aug 29, 2006, 06:34 AM
This might not be in a redox chapter, this is an acid/base reaction.

Oxalic acid is a diprotic acid, meaning it liberates two H+ in the presence of a strong base. So if you strip off the 2 h+ from oxalic acid, what is left? If you strip off the HO- from KOH to form the water, what is left? Then balancing is the last thing you do.

Here.

If I give you HCL + NaOH --->?

What do you get? If you cannot answer this question, you need to reread the chapter dealing with reactions, specifically introduction to acid-base rxns.