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Topic: Baking Powder Acid-Base Reaction  (Read 7294 times)

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dagr8est

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Baking Powder Acid-Base Reaction
« on: May 04, 2006, 08:53:24 PM »
Hello, I have a acid-base question that deals with baking powder.

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A certain type of baking powder contains NaHCO3 and Ca(H2PO4)2.  Explain the role that Ca(H2PO4)2 in the baking powder.

***

I think I have the answer but I'm not 100% sure because the amphiprotic nature of both anions is confusing me.

Anyways, both anions hydrolyse cationically and anionically in water.  The products include H30+, OH-, , H2CO3-, CO3-2, H3PO4, and  HPO4-2.

I think that the H30+ from the Ca(H2PO4)2 hydrolysis is reacting with the CO3-2 from the NaHCO3 hydrolysis to form CO2 which is how baking powder works.  My question is why would you need Ca(H2PO4)2 at all though?  H30+ is also being produced in the same hydrolysis reaction that produces CO3-2 so why do you need another source?

I probably didn't explain myself too well but if anyone can help, it would be appreciated.  ;D
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Offline Bakegaku

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Re: Baking Powder Acid-Base Reaction
« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2006, 10:54:06 PM »
HCO3- + H2O<-> H3O+ + CO2-2

you need two H3O+'s to balance charge and become 3H2O and CO2, but there is only 1 so you'd be stuck in equilibrium.
« Last Edit: May 04, 2006, 10:57:56 PM by bakegaku »
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Offline AWK

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Re: Baking Powder Acid-Base Reaction
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2006, 02:46:44 AM »
Quote
A certain type of baking powder contains NaHCO3 and Ca(H2PO4)2.  Explain the role that Ca(H2PO4)2 in the baking powder
Though HCO3-  is slightly stronger acid than H2PO4- , during baking the following reaction takes place
H2PO4 - + 2HCO3 - = PO4 3- + 2CO2 + 2H2O
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dagr8est

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Re: Baking Powder Acid-Base Reaction
« Reply #3 on: May 05, 2006, 05:45:56 PM »
Ahh I see.  Thanks guys. ;D
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