Question

We are asked to write the three products of the reaction between CH3COOH and NaHCO3(given one is a gas)

They would be,
1)CH3COO^-(Na)^+
2)CO2(g)

And what would be the third product?
As NaHCO3 is acidic would that be Na2CO3?
Because CH3COO^-(Na)^+ is a weak acid salt and NaHCO3 is acidic can we take
CH3COO^-(Na^+) + NaHCO3-->Na2CO3 + CH3COOH

Or can we take Sodium acetate will take H^+ from water and become CH3COOH,as it is a weak acid(sodium acetate)?

Answer 1

#1. NaHCO3 is not acidic. A solution of NaHCO3 has a pH of very close to 8.3 and that is basic although not highly basic.

NaHCO3 + CH3COOH ==> CH3COONa + H2CO3, then the H2CO3, being unstable, decomposes to H2O and CO2 so you write it all at once to get
NaHCO3 + CH3COOH ==> H2O + CO2 + CH3COONa

Answer 2

Thank you!