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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: m4unot on March 02, 2011, 08:52:13 PM

Title: Hydrochloric acid / HCL formula
Post by: m4unot on March 02, 2011, 08:52:13 PM

I would like to produce/make hydrochloric acid: HCl

- I mixed NaCl and H2SO4 (sodium chloride and sulphuric acid) and got HCL, but

is the formula:


NaCl + H2SO4 - > HCL,

NaCl + H2SO4 - > HCL + HSO4,  

NaCl + H2SO4 - > HCL + NaHSO4

or something else and why?


Ps:

Since I've used first: NaCl and then mixed it with H2SO4, I think it is: NaCl + H2SO4 and because I got: HCl:

NaCl + H2SO4 => HCL, but I am unsure.

I'm trying to learn chemistry alone  :-\

Title: Re: Hydrochloric acid / HCL formula
Post by: rabolisk on March 02, 2011, 10:06:45 PM

In an aqueous solution of HCl, there is really no HCl, only H₃O⁺ and Cl^-. Adding NaCl to H₂SO₄ doesn't really do anything. There will be sodium ions, chloride ions, plenty of protons, and bisulfate ions. In a sense you do have HCl, but it is dissociated.

Title: Re: Hydrochloric acid / HCL formula
Post by: m4unot on March 03, 2011, 08:09:53 AM

Quote from: rabolisk on March 02, 2011, 10:06:45 PM

In an aqueous solution of HCl, there is really no HCl, only H₃O⁺ and Cl^-. Adding NaCl to H₂SO₄ doesn't really do anything. There will be sodium ions, chloride ions, plenty of protons, and bisulfate ions. In a sense you do have HCl, but it is dissociated.

Have you seen this:

Quote

Ps:

Since I've used first: NaCl and then mixed it with H2SO4, I think it is: NaCl + H2SO4 and because I got: HCl:

NaCl + H2SO4 => HCL, but I am unsure.

I'm trying to learn chemistry alone  :-\

I asked if this how I describe the process, the way I have worked ?

If not, can you describe how? - And where can I read more about it.

Title: Re: Hydrochloric acid / HCL formula
Post by: 408 on March 03, 2011, 09:33:54 AM

Rabolisk is correct when dilute.

But add NaCl to conc. H2SO4 and watch the HCl vapour fume off.
The original poster did not mention being in solution, so I will assume neat reagents are being used.

Whether Na2SO4 or NaHSO4 forms as byproduct is determined by the stoichiometry and the temperature. 

Title: Re: Hydrochloric acid / HCL formula
Post by: m4unot on March 03, 2011, 10:17:20 AM

I mixed table salt and hydrogen sulfate with 20 ml of water in the bottle, I turned on the heat, it started to boil, etc. ..

My whole point is how I describe the way I've worked with - in formulas.

Is:

NaCl + H2SO4 => HCL , right or wrong and why?

Title: Re: Hydrochloric acid / HCL formula
Post by: AWK on March 04, 2011, 01:25:28 AM

If you use solid NaCl and concentrated H₂SO₄:
Room temperature
NaCl +H₂SO₄ = HCl(g) + NaHSO₄
When heating over 100 C:
2NaCl + H₂SO₄ = 2HCl(g) + Na₂SO₄
When a large excess of H₂SO₄  is used
H₂SO₄  + Na₂SO₄ = 2NaHSO₄