[kenny1999]

Actually what is the definition of neutralization?

are there several definition? What is that?

So, is Na2CO3 (sodium carbonate) + 2HCl -> 2NaCl + H2O + CO2

the neutralization reaction?

By the way, what is the definition of base?

and what is its difference with alkali?

I am so confused, guys

please help, thanks!

[DevaDevil]

neutralization is the bronsted acid-base reaction that brings the reactant closer to pH 7 (neutral pH)

so yeah, the sodium carbonate is the base, the hydrochloric acid the strong acid which gets (mostly) neutralized


a bronsted base is a compound that favors accepting a proton


alkali-metals are the metals in the first row of the periodic table, which all react with water to form alkaline (base) solutions. An alkali is a basic salt of these metals.

So an alkali is always a base, but a base is not always an alkali.

[kenny1999]

neutralization is the bronsted acid-base reaction that brings the reactant closer to pH 7 (neutral pH)

so yeah, the sodium carbonate is the base, the hydrochloric acid the strong acid which gets (mostly) neutralized


a bronsted base is a compound that favors accepting a proton


alkali-metals are the metals in the first row of the periodic table, which all react with water to form alkaline (base) solutions. An alkali is a basic salt of these metals.

So an alkali is always a base, but a base is not always an alkali.

Hello, thanks

but somebody told me that the definition of neutralization is the formation of only salt and water. As a result, he concluded that reaction between carbonate and acid is not a neutralization because of the formation of other substances like CO2 rather than ONLY salt and water. Is it true to say that?

By the way, is sodium carbonate a base? Can you suggest some examples of compounds that is base but not alkali.

Thank you very much

[tamim83]

Neutralization is the reaction between an Arrhenius Acid and Base to produce water and a salt.  So it is specific to Arrhenius acid-base theory. 

There are only two main types of reaction: acid-base and redox.  The difference is that redox involves electron transfer and acid-base does not.  Since the reaction between a carbonate and acid does not involve electron transfer, it is considered an acid base reaction.  Not an Arrhenius acid-base neutralization specifically, but an acid base reaction all the same.