Question

What is the reaction between NaHSO3 and Na2CO3? What is th total ionic equation and the net ionic equation for the reaction?

NaHSO3 + Na2CO3 = ???

Answer 1

First write molecular:

NaHSO3 + Na2CO3 = Na+ + HSO3- + 2Na+ + CO3-2 are present

HSO3- and CO3-2 react

note that we need to identify weather HSO3- is stornger acid/base than CO3-2

HCO3- --> H+ + CO3-2 = 10.32

HSO3- --> H+ SO3-2 = 6.91

clearly HSO3- is stronger acid

so

SO3-2 is likely to form and CO3-2 + H+ = HCO3

NaHSO3 + Na2CO3 = Na+ + HSO3- + 2Na+ + CO3-2 are present

the molecular:

NaHSO3 + Na2CO3 = NaHCO3(aq) + Na2SO3(aq)

total ionc

Na+(aq) + HSO3-(aq) + 2Na+(aq) + CO3-2(aq) = Na+(aq) + HCO3-(aq) + 2Na+(aq)+ SO3-2(aq)

net ionic (get rid of spectator ions)

Na+(aq) + HSO3-(aq) + 2Na+(aq) + CO3-2(aq) = Na+(aq) + HCO3-(aq) + 2Na+(aq)+ SO3-2(aq)

net ioinic:

HSO3-(aq) + CO3-2(aq) = HCO3-(aq) + SO3-2(aq)