Reaction of Metal salt with Sulphuric acid

In summary, sulfuric acid is able to displace more volatile acids from metal salts such as NaCl, resulting in the formation of HCl and Na2SO4. This is due to the solubility and ionization of both NaCl and sulfuric acid in water. Other non-volatile acids can also be used, but sulfuric acid is preferred for obtaining pure HCl.
  • #1
Titan97
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Its given in my book that Sulphuric acid displaces more volatile acid from Metal salts like NaCl.
That is, NaCl + H2SO4→ HCl + Na2SO4
What does valtility have to do with such reactions?
Or Should I just accept it as a fact?
 
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  • #2
Label reactants and products with their states/phases at standard conditions.
 
  • #3
NaCl is solid, Sulphuric acid is liquid?
 
  • #4
And products?
 
  • #5
Titan97 said:
Its given in my book that Sulphuric acid displaces more volatile acid from Metal salts like NaCl.
That is, NaCl + H2SO4→ HCl + Na2SO4
What does valtility have to do with such reactions?
Or Should I just accept it as a fact?
NaCl is fairly soluble in water, and sulfuric acid is very soluble in water, and both are very much ionized when dissolved in water. You have a solution of ions. (I really should check on the solubility of sodium sulfate just to be more thorough and correct in my comment).
 
  • #6
As written, reaction is not necessarily in aqueous solution.
Edit: see Sharks and Little Fish, Wolfgang Ott, and/or Das Boot for the aqueous case (chlorine evolution).
 
  • #7
Sulphuric acid is not volatile hence it does not come out with HCl gas. Other acids can be used as well. But nonvolatile acide like sulphuric acid is preferred to get pure HCI. Am I correct?
 
  • #8
Titan97 said:
hence it does not come out with HCl gas
Yes. "Pure?" Depends.
 
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