What is the balanced equation for the reaction of NaOH (sodium hydroxide) and C9H8O4 (acetylsalicylic acid)?

What is the sodium hydroxide chemical formula? The reaction of NaOH and C₉H₈O₄ holds an interesting process because of two parts in the molecular structure. Let us read how it happens. 

What is Sodium Hydroxide? 

It belongs to the class of inorganic compounds and is often found as a colorless crystalline (orthorhombic crystals) solid. The sodium hydroxide chemical formula is NaOH and is made up of hydroxide OH− anions and sodium Na+ cations. This compound exists as a highly soluble in water and other polar solvents with a lower solubility like ethanol and methanol. 

It is widely utilized in the production of many different goods, including paper, pulp, soap and detergents, explosives, liquid drain and oven cleansers, etc. It is also known by the names of Iye, white caustic, caustic soda, and sodium hydrate. 

What is Acetylsalicylic Acid?

Acetylsalicylic acid (C₉H₈O₄) also commonly known as aspirin is an extremely common medication that is frequently used to treat fever and discomfort in humans. Its extended formula is stated as CH₃COOC₆H₄COOH and exists as a white color substance with a crystalline molecular structure and a weak acidic nature. If we look into its chemical stoichiometry, we find that it is both a carboxylic acid group and a phenol. 

Acetylsalicylic acid exhibits antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties and prevents blood clots, stroke, and myocardial infarction by inhibiting platelet aggregation.

In case you need a refresher, when the overall charge and the number of atoms for each element in the reaction are the same for both the reactants and the products, the chemical reaction is said to be balanced. Stated otherwise, there is a balance between the mass and the charge on both sides of the reaction.

When Asparin a.k.a acetylsalicylic acid reacts with sodium hydroxide, it forms sodium acetylsalicylate and water Sodium in a 1:1 mole ratio. As mentioned before, acetylsalicylic acid has a phenol and carboxylic acid group. Both of them are acidic enough to lose a proton when they are exposed to NaOH. The balanced equation for the aspirin reaction with NaOH can be stated as:

C₉H₈O₄ + 2NaOH → Na₂C₇H₄O₃ + CH₃COOH + H₂O

This reaction can be stated in ionic and balanced form as follows: 

6H₄OCOCH₃COOH(aq)+Na⁺(aq)+OH⁻(aq) → C₆H₄OCOCH₃COO⁻(aq)+Na⁺(aq)+H₂O(l)

The spectator ions in the equation are the Na+ ions existing at both sides of the reaction. To simplify, they can be removed to state a final balance equation of: 

C₆H₄OCOCH₃COOH(aq)+OH⁻(aq) → C₆H₄OCOCH₃COO⁻(aq)+H₂O(l)

Another possible reaction outcome between the two is that the ester will be hydrolyzed which leads to the formation of salicylic acid and acetic acid.

If you are wondering why we were interested in the balanced equation of the reaction between two compounds, it should be remembered that the balancing of a chemical equation is endorsed in the rule of conservation of mass. The law states that a chemical process cannot produce or destroy matter. According to the rule of conservation of mass, the total amount of matter of the elements presents on the reactant side and the total amount of matter of the elements present on the product side should be identical. This is where the balanced equation comes in. 

The result of this reaction produces sodium salicylate which is another over-the-counter salicylate used for similar medical purposes. Apart from one significant difference in its molecular structure, sodium salicylate shares many of the same properties as aspirin and is not acetylated. 

So, which one is better, and how both are used? Well, as compared to aspirin, sodium salicylate is thought to be somewhat less efficient in decreasing pain and has less impact on its other medical implications. But some people who have an aspirin sensitivity may be able to handle sodium salicylate which makes it suitable for patients like these. 

Wrapping Up:

This article concentrated on the basics of two compounds and their reaction, explaining what the sodium hydroxide chemical formula is. Asparin and NaOH react to produce water and aqueous sodium acetylsalicylate and the result is sodium acetylsalicylate formula C₉H₇NaO₄ (also called aspirin sodium).