Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Sodium Oxalate

FrankRizzo - 7-5-2006 at 10:46

Would a aqueous reaction between sodium bicarbonate and oxalic acid proceed to forming sodium oxalate, CO<sub>2</sub>, and water, or would I have to use a stronger base like NaOH? If bicarbonate would work, I'd much rather use it.

H<sub>2</sub>C<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> + 2NaHCO<sub>3</sub> --> Na<sub>2</sub>C<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> + 2CO<sub>2</sub> +2H<sub>2</sub>O ?

12AX7 - 7-5-2006 at 11:49

As I recall, oxalic acid is strong enough. Can always look up the pKa and compare it to HCO3-.

Even if it weren't, boiling would probably make it work anyway, since heat drives out the CO2 gas that forms (driving the equation you wrote to the right).

Tim