The chemical equation for the reaction between lactic acid and metallic sodium
Introduction
In the field of chemistry, chemical equations are important tools for describing chemical reaction processes. The reaction between lactic acid and metallic sodium is a common chemical reaction experiment. This article will explore the chemical equation of the reaction between lactic acid and metallic sodium, and explain in detail the chemical changes that occur during the reaction process.
Reaction description: Lactic acid is an organic acid commonly found in dairy products and has acidic characteristics. Metallic sodium is a common alkali metal with strong reducibility. When lactic acid reacts with metallic sodium, a series of chemical changes occur.
Reaction equation
The reaction equation between lactic acid and metallic sodium is as follows:
2C ∝ H ₆ O3+2Na → 2C ∝ H ₆ O3 Na+H ₂ ↑ Analysis of the reaction process
Lactic acid (CH3 H ₆ O3) reacts with metallic sodium (Na) to produce sodium lactate (CH3 H ₆ O3 Na) and hydrogen gas (H ₂). In this reaction process, lactic acid acts as an acidic catalyst by releasing negatively charged hydrogen ions (H ⁺). Metallic sodium forms sodium ions (NaE) by losing one electron.
Specifically, the hydroxyl group (- OH) in the carboxyl group (- COOH) of lactic acid will react with the metal cation (Na ⁺) in the metal sodium to generate sodium lactate and hydrogen gas. Sodium lactate completely dissociates into lactate ions (C ∝ H ₆ O ∝⁻) and sodium ions (Na ⁺) in water.
The reaction can be expressed as:
C ∝ H ₆ O ∝+Na → C ∝ H ₆ O ∝ ⁻+Na ⁺+H ₂ ↑ Reaction characteristics
The reaction between lactic acid and metallic sodium has the following characteristics:

1. Hydrogen generation: Hydrogen gas is produced during the reaction process, which is a gas with unique properties.
2. Acid base neutralization: The acidity of lactic acid and the alkalinity of sodium neutralize each other, producing sodium lactate.
3. Charge transfer: The hydroxyl group (- OH) in lactic acid will undergo charge transfer with the metal cation (Nae) in metallic sodium.
The chemical equation of the reaction between lactic acid and metallic sodium has certain significance in practical applications: 1. Teaching experiment: The reaction between lactic acid and metallic sodium is often used in chemistry teaching experiments, which is beneficial for students to deepen their understanding of chemical equations and reaction characteristics through practice.
2. Research purpose: The study of the reaction between lactic acid and metallic sodium helps to deepen the understanding of the reaction mechanism between organic acids and metals, providing a foundation for further research.
3. Industrial applications: Lactic acid has a wide range of applications in industrial production, and understanding its chemical equation for reacting with metallic sodium can help control and optimize related industrial processes.
Conclusion: The chemical equation for the reaction between lactic acid and metallic sodium is 2C ∝ H ₆ O3+2Na → 2C ∝ H ₆ O3 Na+H ₂ ↑. During the reaction process, lactic acid undergoes acid-base neutralization and redox reactions with metallic sodium, forming sodium lactate and hydrogen gas. This reaction has significant value in teaching experiments, research, and industrial applications.