15 Facts on HF + NaOH: What, How To Balance & FAQs

Hydrofluoric acid is the solution of hydrogen fluoride. Sodium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula NaOH. Let us see the reaction of HF+ NaOH. 

The formula of hydrofluoric acid is HF. It is a colorless, weak acid. HF is commonly used in PTEF (Teflon). NaOH is a strong base, and its molar mass is 39.9971 g/mol.

Here, in this article, we will discuss some facts about the HF+ NaOH reaction, like net ionic reaction and enthalpy of the reaction etc.

What is the product of HF and NaOH

Sodium Fluoride (NaF) and Water (H₂O) are produced in the  HF+ NaOH reaction.

NaOH + HF → NaF + H₂O

What type of reaction is HF + NaOH

HF+ NaOH is acid-base reaction because, here more than one H exchange is involved and make the reaction neutral.

How to balance HF + NaOH

The reaction HF+ NaOH is balanced using the algebraic method.

• At first, we labeled all the reactants and the product in the equation with some variables to symbolize the unknown coefficients.
• a HF + b NaOH = c NaF + d H₂O 
• Then, we do an equation for every element (H, F, Na, O) in which all period represents the range of detail atoms in all reactants and products.

Atoms	Reactant Side	Product Side
H	2	2
F	1	1
Na	1	1
O	1	1

• Now, we see that all atoms on the reactant side and product side are the same. So, we do need any changes in the equation.
• The balance equation is 
• NaOH + HF → NaF + H₂O

HF + NaOH titration

HF + NaOH is an acid-base titration. This titration has involved some steps.

Apparatus Used:

• Conical flask
• Burette
• Volumetric flask
• Beakers
• Measuring cylinders
• Pipette
• Glass rod

Indicator:

• Phenolphthalein is used as an indication in HF + NaOH titration.

Procedure:

• At first, we cleaned the burette and rinsed it with a small amount of NaOH solution, and after that, we filled the burette with the NaOH solution. Record the burette’s initial reading.
• Then, we pipette out a 25 mL solution of HF into a conical flask.
• To Determine the endpoint of the reaction, we add a few drops of phenolphthalein indicator into the conical flask.
• Then, the NaOH solution is added drop by drop using the burette.
• After that, when the color changes to pink color then, we take the reading of the burette.
• Then, we determine how much NaOH solution is needed to neutralize the HF solution. 
• We do this test 3-4 times to get the accurate value.

HF + NaOH net ionic equation

HF+ NaOH net ionic equation is

OH^–(aq) + H⁺(aq) = H₂O(l)

To derive the net ionic equation, the following steps are followed

• Firstly, the soluble ionic compounds dissociate into the ions.
• Na⁺(aq) + OH^–(aq) + H⁺(aq) + F^–(aq) = Na⁺(aq) + F^–(aq) + H₂O(l)
• Spectator ions is Na⁺ and F^– is canceled out.
• Thus, the net ionic equation is 
• OH^–(aq) + H⁺(aq) = H₂O(l)

HF + NaOH conjugate pairs

HF + NaOH have conjugate pairs.

• Conjugate base of HF is F^–.
• Conjugate acid of OH^– is H₂O.

HF + NaOH intermolecular forces

HF And NaOH reaction has the following intermolecular forces:

• HF has only dipole-dipole interaction force.
• NaOH has an ion-dipole force.

HF + NaOH Reaction enthalpy

The HF + NaOH reaction has -8.33 kJ/ mol reaction enthalpy.

HF + NaOH buffer solution

HF + NaOH reaction is formed in a buffer solution. We know that to form the buffer solution, we need a weak acid and the conjugate base of the salt.

HF + NaOH complete reaction

HF + NaOH reaction is a complete reaction because the weak acid and the base reacted and formed the salt and water.

Is HF + NaOH an exothermic or endothermic reaction

HF + NaOH is the exothermic reaction because we see from the reaction enthalpy value is negative.

In the below, the energy of the element is mentioned 

Element	Energy in kJ/ mol
NaOH (aq)	470.11
HF (aq)	332.36
NaF (s)	-569
H2O (g)	-241.8

• Reactant = 470.11+ 332.36 = 802.47 KJ/mol.
• Product = – 569 + (-241.8) = – 810.8 KJ/mol.
• Enthalpy = product – reactant = -810.8 + 802.47 = – 8.33 KJ/mol.

Is HF + NaOH a redox reaction

HF + NaOH reaction is not a redox reaction because there was no change in the oxidation state.

Is HF + NaOH a precipitation reaction

HF + NaOH reaction is not a precipitation reaction because no precipitate is formed in this HF + NaOH reaction.

Is HF + NaOH reversible or irreversible reaction

HF + NaOH reaction is the irreversible reaction because HF + NaOH reaction is formed a complete reaction. 

Is HF + NaOH displacement reaction

HF + NaOH reaction is a double displacement reaction or salt metathesis reaction because Na replaced the H from HF and formed NaF, and H replaced the Na from NaOH and formed H₂O.

Conclusion

We can conclude from this article that, HF + NaOH is a double displacement reaction. This is an exothermic reaction, it also released energy.