Balancing Acid-Base Reactions with Acetic Acid and Ethylene Diamine

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the acid-base reaction between acetic acid (C2H4O2) and ethylene diamine (C2H8N2), focusing on the formation of a salt and the balancing of the chemical equation. Participants explore the theoretical aspects of the reaction, including protonation and the nature of the products formed.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a balanced equation for the reaction, suggesting that acetic acid and ethylene diamine yield water and a salt, but expresses uncertainty about the correctness of this equation.
  • Another participant challenges the initial claim, stating that water is not a product and that the amine groups in ethylene diamine would get protonated instead.
  • A different participant questions whether the products would be C2H3O2- and C2H9N2+, and whether these would ionize to form a salt.
  • It is noted that ethylene diamine can be protonated twice, leading to a proposed salt structure, but this is qualified by the assertion that both acetic acid and ethylene diamine are weak acid and base, respectively, indicating that a full understanding of the solution would require consideration of all acid/base equilibria.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the balanced equation or the nature of the products. Multiple competing views regarding the reaction and its products remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need to consider the weak acid and base nature of acetic acid and ethylene diamine, respectively, which may affect the overall reaction and product formation.

Jeann25
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Consider the Acid-Base reaction of acetic acid (C2H4O2) with ethylene diamine (C2H8N2) to form the corresponding salt. Then the structural formulas for acetic acid and ethylene diamine were drawn below this.
Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction, noting both amine groups can accept a proton.

I know that acid + base = water + salt

I'm not sure if what I've come up with is right or not... I don't remember the teacher ever going over anything like this...

C2H4O2 + C2H8N2 --> 2H2O + C4H8N2
 
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No water in products, amine groups get protonated.
 
Would the product be C2H3O2- + C2H9N2+.. and would this ionize and form a salt?
 
Diamine can get protonated twice.

Basically you will have a salt C2H10N2(2+)(2C2H3O2(-))2.

However, that's not whole truth - acetic acid is a weak acid, ethylene diamine is a weak base, so if you will need precise information about the solution, you will have to take all acid/base equilibria into accounts.
 

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