15  Facts on HCl + LiOH: What, How To Balance & FAQs

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HCl and LiOH are both inorganic chemical compounds where Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid and Lithium hydroxide is a strong base. Let us discuss HCl and  LiOH reactions.

HCl known by another name muriatic acid seems to be colorless but, its physical property depends on the concentration and LiOH is physically present in an anhydrous state known as a hygroscopic solid and white in color. In this reaction opposite ions attract each other and form lithium chloride with water.

In the following sections of this article, we will study the product, conjugate acid-base, titration, intermolecular forces, etc, with detailed explanations.

What is the product of HCl and LiOH

Lithium chloride is produced from the reaction of HCl and LiOH.

 HCl + LiOH = LiCl + HOH

What type of reaction is HCl + LiOH

The reaction of HCL + LiOH is a neutralization reaction. The reactions with the ions of reactants completely dissociate and form a salt as a product which has a base and a positive metal ion is known as a neutralization reaction.

How to balance HCl + LiOH

The following steps should be followed to balance an equation.

  • Step 1  As the coefficients are 4 so label them as A, B, C, and D
  • A HCl + B LiOH = C LiCl + D HOH
  • Step 2 – modify the equation with a suitable number; the coefficients are already labeled as alphabets for product and reactants.
  • H = A = D , Cl = A = C , Li = B = C , OH = B = D
  • Step 3 – Multiplying the coefficients of the atoms in the reaction
  • A = B= C= D= 1
  • Step 4 – Reduce the results of the lowest integer values as a result, the balanced equation is ;
  • HCl + LiOH = LiCl + HOH

HCl + LiOH titration

In order to determine the unknown concentration of LiOH, we can carry out a titration between LiOH and HCl. 

Apparatus used

burette, pipette, measuring cylinder, conical flask, stand, funnel, solution of HCl and LiOH

Indicator

Phenophthaline is used as an indicator.

Method

  • Step 1 – Fit the burette into the stand and fill it with the solution of LiOH with the help of a funnel.
  • Step 2 – Pour some HCl into a conical flask and place it under the burette and drop LiOH into it dropwise and add an indicator drop wise shake the flask till the color changes to pink.
  • Step 3 – Repeat the process till 2 concurrent readings must be there in the burette and use the reading in the formula to calculate the strength and concentration of the unknown solution.

HCl + LiOH net ionic equation

  • To write the net ionic equation first the complete equation with their states is written
  • HCl(l) + LiOH(s) = LiCl(s) + HOH(l)
  • Now, splits the atoms into ions, which is the net ionic reaction.
  • H+ + Cl– + Li+ + OH– = Li+ + Cl– + H+ + OH –

HCl + LiOH conjugate pairs

In this reaction,

  • HCl becomes conjugate acid with Cl– conjugate base.
  • LiOH becomes a conjugate base by donating OH– and HOH as conjugate acids.
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Conjugate acid-base pairs

HCl and LiOH intermolecular forces

  • The intermolecular force of attraction in HCl is dipole-dipole interaction because of ionic bond interaction and the London dispersion force.
  • In LiOH the force of attraction is a dipole-dipole force because of the ionic bond and the Vaan der Waal force of attraction.

HCl + LiOH reaction enthalpy

HCl + LiOH reaction enthalpy is zero. The enthalpy formation of LiOH is -56.1 KJ/ mol but the total enthalpy is zero because it is the neutralization reaction and the end product is salt with water so, there is no amount of energy given to the reaction or released by the reaction.

Is HCl + LiOH a buffer solution

HCl with LIOH is not a buffer solution because when HCl and LiOH are reacted together they neutralize each other as HCl is a strong acid, and LiOH is a strong base and their pH value will be more than 7.

Is HCl + LiOH a complete reaction

 HCl + LiOH is a complete reaction by giving a metal salt as a product. In a complete reaction, the dissociation of reactants must be complete and the formation of the product in the form of salts or precipitate must happen.

Is HCl + LiOH an exothermic or endothermic reaction

The reaction of HCl + LiOH is an exothermic reaction, because the heat or energy is released when the dissociation of bonds in atoms of HCl and LiOH takes place in aquous solution.

Is HCl + LiOH a redox reaction

 HCl + LiOH is not a redox reaction. In this reaction, only LiOH is oxidised , and there is no reduction of any atom. 

Is HCl + LiOH a precipitation reaction

 HCl + LiOH is not a precipitation reaction. In the reaction LiCl salt formation is taking place but due to the high solubility with water it dissolves quickly without precipitating.

Is HCl + LiOH reversible or irreversible reaction

 HCl + LiOH is an irreversible reaction, because this reaction yields LiCl, a complete salt or chemical compound, which cannot be reversed back.

Is HCl + LiOH displacement reaction

The HCl + LiOH is not a displacement reaction because in the reaction of HCl and LiOH produce LiCl as a product without displacing atoms.

Conclusion

HCl is an acid used for chemical analysis and to know about the concentration of unknown solutions. LiOH is used as a rubber in aircraft because of its absorbing properties of the gasses like carbon dioxide etc.