15 Facts on HF + SrCO3: What, How To Balance & FAQs

Strontium chloride is a white or grey-coloured carbonate compound naturally occurring as Strontianite. Let us see how it reacts with hydrogen fluoride in this article.

Strontium chloride (SrCO₃) is an odourless and colourless powder and acts as a weak base. SrCO₃ is insoluble in water. HF is a weak electrolyte, but it can cause corrosion and penetration when it comes in contact with moisture.

We will discuss some key facts about the reaction between HF and SrCO₃, like redox reaction, reaction enthalpy, balanced chemical equation and conjugate pairs in this article.

What is the product of HF and SrCO₃

Strontiofluorite (SrF₂), water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) are the products of HF and SrCO₃ reaction. The chemical equation for HF and SrCO₃ reaction is,

HF + SrCO₃ = SrF₂ + H₂O + CO₂

What type of reaction is HF + SrCO₃

HF + SrCO₃ reaction is of acid-base type and gas also evolved during the reaction.

How to balance HF + SrCO₃

The balanced chemical equation for HF + SrCO₃ reaction is,

2HF + SrCO₃ = SrF₂ + H₂O + CO₂

• The unbalanced equation for HF + SrCO₃ is,

• HF + SrCO₃ = SrF₂ + H₂O + CO₂

• Note the number of atoms present on each side of the chemical equation. The number of atoms on both sides of the equation is:

Atoms	Number on reactant side	Number on product side
H	1	2
F	1	2
Sr	1	1
C	1	1
O	3	3

• The hydrogen and fluorine atoms are not balanced; therefore, we multiply HF by the coefficient of 2 to balance the equation.

• Thus, the balanced chemical equation is,

• 2HF + SrCO₃ = SrF₂ + H₂O + CO₂

HF + SrCO₃ titration

The titration between HF and SrCO₃ is not feasible because HF is a weak acid and SrCO₃ is a weak base, so the change in pH cannot be detected. Thus, no indicator can be used to see the changes occurring in the solution during the titration.

HF + SrCO₃ net ionic equation

The net ionic equation for HF + SrCO₃ is,

2HF (aq.) + SrCO₃ (aq.) =  Sr²⁺ (aq.) + 2F^– (aq.) + H₂O (l) + CO₂ (g)

• Write the general balanced chemical equation,

• 2HF + SrCO₃ = SrF₂ + H₂O + CO₂

• Indicate each compound with its chemical state (s, l, g or aq).

• 2HF (aq.) + SrCO₃ (aq.) =  SrF₂ (aq.) + H₂O (l) + CO₂ (g)’

• Split the strong electrolytes into ions to obtain the complete ionic equation.

• 2HF (aq.) + SrCO₃ (aq.) =  Sr²⁺ (aq.) + 2F^– (aq.) + H₂O (l) + CO₂ (g)

• Cancel out the spectator ions to get the net ionic equation.

• 2HF (aq.) + SrCO₃ (aq.) =  Sr²⁺ (aq.) + 2F^– (aq.) + H₂O (l) + CO₂ (g)

HF + SrCO₃ conjugate pairs

HF + SrCO₃ collectively do not have any conjugate pairs.

• The conjugate pair of H₂O contains H₂O and its conjugate base OH.

HF and SrCO₃ intermolecular forces

HF + SrCO₃ has the following intermolecular forces,

• The intermolecular force between SrF₂ molecules is an ionic bond as it is a salt.

• The electrostatic force of attraction is present between SrCO₃ molecules.

• HF molecules have dipole-dipole interaction, London dispersion forces and hydrogen bonding.

HF + SrCO₃ reaction enthalpy

HF + SrCO₃ reaction enthalpy is -20.61 kJ/mol. The standard enthalpy of formation for different reactants and products is,

Molecules	Enthalpy of reaction (in kJ/mol)
HF	-332.36
SrCO3	-1218.4
CO2	-393.5
SrF2	-1224.4
H2O	-285.83

Reaction enthalpy (ΔH_f) = Standard enthalpy of formation (product – reactant)

Thus, ΔH_f = [-393.5 – 1224.4 – 285.83] – [-332.36 – 1218.4]

ΔH_f = -20.61 kJ/mol.

Is HF + SrCO₃ a buffer solution

HF + SrCO₃ is not a buffer solution because there is no conjugate base available for the weak acid HF.

Is HF + SrCO₃ a complete reaction

HF + SrCO₃ reaction is a complete reaction and no further steps can be performed after the mentioned steps.

Is HF + SrCO₃ an exothermic or endothermic reaction

HF + SrCO₃ reaction is an exothermic reaction because reaction enthalpy has a negative value and heat is evolved during the reaction.

Is HF + SrCO₃ a redox reaction

HF + SrCO₃ reaction is not a redox reaction because the oxidation number of each atom is unchanged.

Is HF + SrCO₃ a precipitation reaction

HF + SrCO₃ reaction is not a precipitation reaction as no solid product is formed during the reaction.

Is HF + SrCO₃ reversible or irreversible reaction

HF + SrCO₃ reaction is an irreversible reaction because the CO₂ gas evolved cannot be reverted into the reaction mixture.

Is HF + SrCO₃ displacement reaction

HF + SrCO₃ is a double displacement reaction followed by a dissociation reaction because H and Sr atom displaces each other their respective compound forming H₂CO₃ which further on dissociation produces H₂O and CO₂.

Conclusion:

This article concludes that HF is used in its aqueous form, known as hydrofluoric acid. SrF₂ formed is readily soluble and thus, no solid product is formed. The CO₂ gas evolved can be checked using the lime water test.