Electra
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Why such excess base in neutralization reactions?
Why is it in so many online reactions and in patents you'll see the use of about 5-10x excess base to neutralize an acid?
For instance, someone using 500g of NaOH(12.5 Moles) to neutralize 200ml of Sulfuric Acid (3.75 Moles). or 12.5 moles of NaOH for 3 moles of Acetic
Acid.
Is there a reason for this excess? Is it because many of these chemist are amateurs and use a ton of Lye due to how cheap it is? Bad Chemistry?
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HeYBrO
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If the reaction is being distilled for instance, the acid (depending on which it is) may come over and contaminate the product and using excess base
will pretty much convert all of it to its salt. Also in some cases the NaOH is used as a desiccant etc. It is also, as you say, dirt cheap. perhaps
provide some references and we can answer your question more thoroughly( as it really depends on the reaction)
[Edited on 4-1-2014 by HeYBrO]
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