Neutralization and Net-Ionic Equations

If H30+ ions are responsible for the properties of acids, and OH responsible for the properties of bases, neutralization reactions should show how acids and bases destroy the properties of each other. The products of an acid-base neutralization reaction are a salt and water. 

To a chemist, the term salt refers to the ionic product of a neutralization reaction, the positive ion coming from the base (K+ from KOH), and the negative ion coming from the acid (Cl from HCl). Potassium chloride, KCl, is the salt produced in the neutralization of hydrochloric acid and potassium hydroxide. Sodium nitrate, NaN03, is the salt produced in the neutralization of nitric acid, HN03, with sodium hydroxide, NaOH. The other product, water, is the covalent product of neutralization, formed by the combination of H+ from the acid, and OH , from, the base. Notice now the ions responsible for the properties of acids, H (aq), and the properties of bases, OH (aq), combine to form neutral water, HzO(I). This is how acids and bases destroy the properties of each other simultaneously. 

The formation of water is the core, or heart, of neutralization, a fact revealed in the net-ionic equation for the reaction. Because net-ionic equations reveal the actual reactions taking place, it would be useful to learn more about them. Net-ionic equations are developed in a three-step process that begins with the formula equation, then onto the ionic equation and ending with the net-ionic equation. Let s derive the net-ionic equation for a typical neutralization reaction. We need to start with a formula equation. Formula equations use neutral formulas or symbols for all reactants and products. The balanced formula equation for the neutralization of nitric acid with sodium hydroxide is  

The formula equation shows that neutralization is a double-replacement reaction (Chapter 7), but there is more that can be shown about this reaction. Nitric acid, sodium hydroxide and sodium nitrate exist in solution as ions - they ionize in water. An ionic equation will separate the neutral 

The net-ionic equation clearly shows that the core of neutralization is the combining of those ions that define acids and bases to form neutral water. 

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