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Dissolving sodium carbonate in water equation??

I would have thought that since sodium carbonate is ionic (I think so anyway), it should dissociate into its two ions Na+ and CO3 (2-).... However, I have seen that the reaction forms H2CO3 and NaOH?

Which one is correct?
Original post by mil88
I would have thought that since sodium carbonate is ionic (I think so anyway), it should dissociate into its two ions Na+ and CO3 (2-).... However, I have seen that the reaction forms H2CO3 and NaOH?

Which one is correct?

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Reply 2
Avatar for Pigster
Pigster
20
CO32- + H2O <-> HCO3- + OH-

It wouldn't go further, i.e. HCO3- + H2O <-> H2CO3 + OH-, as the H2CO3 is AKA carbonic acid, which wouldn't be too happy, what with all the OH- around.
Original post by Pigster
CO32- + H2O <-> HCO3- + OH-

It wouldn't go further, i.e. HCO3- + H2O <-> H2CO3 + OH-, as the H2CO3 is AKA carbonic acid, which wouldn't be too happy, what with all the OH- around.


Ok so what would the overall equation be (for sodium carbonate and water)
Reply 4
Avatar for Pigster
Pigster
20
Add 2xNa+ to both sides.
Original post by Pigster
Add 2xNa+ to both sides.


So it's:

Na2CO3 + H20 <--> NaHCO3 + NaOH?
Reply 6
Avatar for Pigster
Pigster
20
Looks about right.
Original post by Pigster
Looks about right.


Ok thanks alot! Just to confirm, it's in equillibrium right, so it never all completely reacts?

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