Question

NaHCO3 is a base even thou it doesn't have 0H- ion. Why??​

Answer 1

Answer:

It’s amphoteric, so it will react with both acids and bases. It’s acidity is less than that of water however, so in solution it behaves as a weak base - it dissociates into Na+ and HCO3- ions, with the HCO3- then reacting with water to produce carbonic acid and hydroxyl ions:

HCO3- + H2O → H2CO3 + OH−

Adding sodium hydroxide to it in solution though will convert the hydroxyl ions to water and the HCO3- to carbonate [CO3]2- anions.

NaOH + NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + H2O