15 Facts on HF + NaHCO3: What, How To Balance & FAQs

HF is a weak acid, Sodium bicarbonate is a crystalline powder. Let us discuss some reactions of HF and NaHCO3.

HF is an inorganic compound also known as fluorane. It is a colorless gas or liquid, and its melting point is -83. 6°C.It is used in the petrochemical industry and is corrosive when mixed with moisture. NaHCO3 is a white crystalline salt that is highly soluble in water and used in food industries as a baking powder.

In this article, we will learn about a few properties of the reaction HF + NaHCO3 like the type of reaction, the product formed, buffer solution, conjugate pairs, type of intermolecular forces, ionic equation b/w them, etc.

What is the product of HF and NaHCO3 ?

NaF, CO2 and water (H2O) are formed as by-products when NaHCO3 reacts with HF.

HF(l) + NaHCO3(s) = NaF(s)+ CO2(g) + H2O(l)

What type of reaction is HF + NaHCO3 ?

The reaction in between HF + NaHCO3 displays a single displacement type of reaction.

How to balance HF + NaHCO3 ?

The reaction of HF + NaHCO3 can be balanced by following the steps given below.

  • Write the equation such that reactants are on the left side and the products are on the right side.
  • HF(l) + NaHCO3(s) = NaF(s)+ CO2(g) + H2O(l)

To balance the equation, the total number of moles on the left side must be equal to the number of moles on the right side.

  • Tabulate the number of moles of each element on both sides.
Element sReactants(LHS)Products(RHS)
Na11
H22
C11
O33
F11
No. of moles of each element on both the reactant and product side
  • The reaction of HBr + NaHCO3 is a self-balanced type of reaction.
  • The total number of moles on the left side is equal to the number of moles on the right side.

HF + NaHCO3 titration ?

HF cannot be titrated with NaHCO3 because during the reaction CO2 gas is librated with water and it is not possible to calculate the endpoint and the unknown concentration of the NaHCO3.

HF + NaHCO3 net ionic equation ?

The net ionic equation of the reaction HF + NaHCO3 is –

H+ + F + Na+ + HCO3 = Na+ + F + CO2 + H+ + OH

  • Write the full reaction with the respective states of molecules:
  • HF(l) + NaHCO3(s) = NaF(s)+ CO2(g) + H2O(l)
  • Split the atoms into ions thus, the net ionic equation is –
  • H+ + F + Na+ + HCO3 = Na+ + F + CO2 + H+ + OH

HF + NaHCO3 conjugate pairs ?

HF + NaHCO3 has the following conjugate pairs

  • The conjugate base pairs of HF are F.
  • The conjugate acid pair for NaHCO3 is H2CO3.

HF and NaHCO3 intermolecular forces ?

HF + NaHCO3 has the following intermolecular forces:

  • A covalent bond and coordinate bonds with intermolecular hydrogen bonds are the intermolecular forces present in NaHCO3.

HF + NaHCO3 reaction enthalpy ?

The reaction enthalpy for HF + NaHCO3 reaction is positive. This means it is an endothermic reaction. In which heat is absorbed.

ElementsNo.of molesReaction enthalpyΔH°rxn
NaHCO3(s)1 mol-947.7 kJ/mol947.7 kJ
HF(aq)1 mol-332.36 kJ/mol332.36 kJ
NaF(s)1 mol-569 kJ/mol-569 kJ
CO2(g)1 mol-395.5kJ/mol-395kJ
H2O(l)1 mol-241.8 kJ/mol-241.8 kJ/mol
ΔH°rxn75.76 kJ
The calculation for reaction enthalpy

ΔH°rxn 75.76 kJ = ΣΔH°f(products) -ΣΔH°f (reactants),

so ,HF(l) + NaHCO3(s) = NaF(s)+ CO2(g) + H2O(l) is endothermic.

Is HF + NaHCO3 a buffer solution ?

HF + NaHCO3 is not a buffer solution because NaHCO3 nature is amphoteric and it will not allow the pH to increase more than 7.

Is HF + NaHCO3 a complete reaction ?

HF + NaHCO3 is a complete reaction because the products formed during this reaction have no tendency to react further.

Is HF + NaHCO3 an exothermic or endothermic reaction ?

HF + NaHCO3 is an endothermic reaction as the product is NaF with the formation of bubbles of CO2 gas which decrease the temperature of the solution and gets cooler down.

Is HF + NaHCO3 a redox reaction ?

HF + NaHCO3 is not a redox reaction as all the elements of reactants and products are in the same oxidation states.

Is HF + NaHCO3 a precipitation reaction ?

HF + NaHCO3 is not a precipitation reaction as the product is NaF which is highly soluble in water and cannot be precipitated down in the solution.

Is HF + NaHCO3 reversible or irreversible reaction ?

HF + NaHCO3 is not reversible as the product is NaF and it is highly soluble in water and cannot be reversed as a reactant.

Is HF + NaHCO3 displacement reaction ?

The reaction between HF + NaHCO3 is a single-displacement reaction as the H+ ion displaces from HF to form NaF and water with CO2 gas is formed.

Conclusion

The compound formed after the reaction ( HF + NaHCO3) is Sodium fluoride(NaF). It is used in trace amounts in the fluoridation of drinking water, in toothpaste, in metallurgy, and as a flux.