Neutralization Of Titanium(II) Hydroxide: Water Moles Produced
Hey guys! Today, we're diving into a fun chemistry problem: figuring out how much water we get when we completely neutralize titanium(II) hydroxide with phosphoric acid. Let's break it down step by step so it’s super clear.
Understanding Neutralization Reactions
First off, let's chat about what neutralization actually means. Neutralization is a chemical reaction where an acid and a base react, typically resulting in the formation of a salt and water. In our case, titanium(II) hydroxide [Ti(OH)₂] is the base, and phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) is the acid. When they react, the H+ ions from the acid combine with the OH- ions from the base to form H₂O, which is water. The remaining ions form a salt.
To figure out how many moles of water are produced, we need to look at the balanced chemical equation. Balancing ensures that we have the correct stoichiometric proportions, which tell us exactly how many molecules of each reactant are needed and how many molecules of each product are formed. Without a balanced equation, we're just guessing!
Now, let's get into the specifics of our reaction. Titanium(II) hydroxide, Ti(OH)₂, has two hydroxide (OH-) ions, and phosphoric acid, H₃PO₄, has three hydrogen (H+) ions per molecule. This is super important because it dictates the ratio in which they react. To completely neutralize the base with the acid, we need to make sure that the number of H+ ions from the acid equals the number of OH- ions from the base. This balance is what drives the reaction to completion, leaving neither excess acid nor excess base.
The stoichiometry of the reaction is also influenced by the oxidation state of titanium. Since we're dealing with titanium(II) hydroxide, it means titanium has a +2 oxidation state. This affects how it interacts with the phosphate ions after the neutralization. Understanding oxidation states helps us predict the formula of the resulting salt, which is crucial for a complete picture of the reaction. Keep in mind that different transition metals can have multiple oxidation states, leading to different reaction products and stoichiometry. So, always double-check those oxidation numbers!
Balancing the Chemical Equation
Okay, let's get our hands dirty and write out the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between titanium(II) hydroxide [Ti(OH)₂] and phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄). This is the foundation for determining the moles of water produced. Here’s how we do it:
First, we write out the unbalanced equation:
Ti(OH)₂ + H₃PO₄ → Ti₃(PO₄)₂ + H₂O
Notice that the titanium(II) ion (Ti²⁺) will combine with the phosphate ion (PO₄³⁻) to form titanium(II) phosphate. Since titanium has a +2 charge and phosphate has a -3 charge, we need three titanium ions for every two phosphate ions to balance the charges. Hence, the formula for titanium(II) phosphate is Ti₃(PO₄)₂.
Now, let's balance the equation. We need to ensure that we have the same number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. Start by balancing the titanium and phosphate ions:
3 Ti(OH)₂ + 2 H₃PO₄ → Ti₃(PO₄)₂ + H₂O
We have 3 titanium atoms on both sides and 2 phosphate groups on both sides. Now, let's balance the hydrogen and oxygen atoms. On the left side, we have 3 * 2 = 6 hydroxide ions, each containing one oxygen and one hydrogen, and 2 * 3 = 6 hydrogen ions from the phosphoric acid. This gives us a total of 6 + 6 = 12 hydrogen atoms and 6 oxygen atoms from the hydroxide ions, plus 8 oxygen atoms from the phosphoric acid, totaling 14 oxygen atoms.
On the right side, we have titanium(II) phosphate Ti₃(PO₄)₂, which contains 8 oxygen atoms. To balance the oxygen atoms, we need to add water molecules. We need 14 - 8 = 6 more oxygen atoms, which means we need 6 water molecules:
3 Ti(OH)₂ + 2 H₃PO₄ → Ti₃(PO₄)₂ + 6 H₂O
Now, let’s check the hydrogen atoms. We have 3 * 2 = 6 * 1=6 hydrogen atoms from titanium(II) hydroxide and 2 * 3 = 6 hydrogen atoms from phosphoric acid, totaling 12 hydrogen atoms on the left. On the right, we have 6 water molecules, each with 2 hydrogen atoms, giving us 6 * 2 = 12 hydrogen atoms. Everything balances out!
So, the balanced chemical equation is:
3 Ti(OH)₂ + 2 H₃PO₄ → Ti₃(PO₄)₂ + 6 H₂O
Determining Moles of Water Produced
Alright, now that we have the balanced equation, we can determine the number of moles of water produced. According to the balanced equation:
3 Ti(OH)₂ + 2 H₃PO₄ → Ti₃(PO₄)₂ + 6 H₂O
This equation tells us that for every 3 moles of titanium(II) hydroxide that react with 2 moles of phosphoric acid, we produce 1 mole of titanium(II) phosphate and 6 moles of water.
So, if we are talking about the complete neutralization of titanium(II) hydroxide with phosphoric acid, the stoichiometry of the reaction tells us that for every reaction event, 6 moles of water are produced.
Therefore, the number of moles of water produced when we perform the complete neutralization between titanium(II) hydroxide [Ti(OH)₂] and phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) is 6 moles.
Importance of Stoichiometry
Understanding stoichiometry is crucial in chemistry. It allows us to predict the amounts of reactants and products involved in a chemical reaction. In this case, knowing the balanced chemical equation and the stoichiometric coefficients enabled us to determine the exact number of moles of water produced during the neutralization reaction.
Stoichiometry isn't just theoretical; it has practical applications in various fields, including medicine, environmental science, and manufacturing. For instance, in drug synthesis, precise stoichiometric calculations are necessary to ensure the correct proportions of reactants, leading to the desired product. In environmental science, stoichiometry helps in understanding and managing pollution levels by quantifying the reactants and products in chemical processes that affect the environment.
Conclusion
In summary, when we completely neutralize titanium(II) hydroxide [Ti(OH)₂] with phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄), the balanced chemical equation is:
3 Ti(OH)₂ + 2 H₃PO₄ → Ti₃(PO₄)₂ + 6 H₂O
This reaction produces 6 moles of water for every 3 moles of titanium(II) hydroxide and 2 moles of phosphoric acid that react. So, the correct answer is that 6 moles of water are formed.
Hope this explanation helps you nail similar chemistry problems in the future! Keep experimenting and stay curious! Chemistry is all about understanding these interactions, and with a little practice, you'll become a pro in no time. Keep up the great work, and happy experimenting!