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Phosphoric acid, also known as orthophosphoric acid, is a weak acid with the chemical formula H3PO4. It’s a widely used chemical in various industries, from agriculture to food production. Understanding “What Does Phosphoric Acid React With” is crucial for safely handling it and harnessing its potential in different applications. Its reactivity stems from its acidic nature and the presence of three replaceable hydrogen atoms, making it capable of participating in a variety of chemical reactions.
Phosphoric Acid’s Reactive Nature Unveiled
Phosphoric acid, being an acid, readily reacts with bases. This is perhaps its most fundamental and predictable reaction. When phosphoric acid reacts with a base, it undergoes neutralization, forming a salt and water. The specific salt formed depends on the base used. For instance, reacting with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) yields sodium phosphate. This neutralization reaction is important in many industrial processes, including pH adjustment and the production of phosphate salts.
Furthermore, the three replaceable hydrogen atoms in phosphoric acid mean it can form different types of phosphate salts. The degree of neutralization dictates the specific salt produced. To illustrate this:
- Reacting with one mole of NaOH forms sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH2PO4).
- Reacting with two moles of NaOH forms disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4).
- Reacting with three moles of NaOH forms trisodium phosphate (Na3PO4).
Beyond bases, phosphoric acid also reacts with metals, especially reactive ones like alkali metals and alkaline earth metals. This reaction typically produces a metal phosphate salt and hydrogen gas. The reaction’s vigor depends on the metal’s reactivity, with more reactive metals exhibiting a more energetic reaction. Here’s a simple representation of this reaction type:
Metal + Phosphoric Acid → Metal Phosphate + Hydrogen Gas
In summary, here is a table describing main type of reactions:
| Reactant | Product(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bases | Phosphate Salts + Water | Neutralization reaction. |
| Metals | Metal Phosphate Salts + Hydrogen Gas | Reactivity depends on the metal. |
To gain an even deeper understanding of phosphoric acid’s properties and applications, you should definitely use the chemical’s SDS (Safety Data Sheet), which is the most authoritative source of information.