Is the reaction between sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid a redox reaction?

Answer 1

Not technically. A neutralization reaction is the correct answer.

NaOH + HCl --> NaCl + H2O

Products of a neutralization reaction; a salt and water.

In a redox reaction something must be oxidized and something must be reduced and oxidation states must be changed, so I am not too sure that is happening here.

Answer 2

NO!!! It is a NEUTRALISATION reaction.

For a REDOX reaction there would be a change of electrons / e.g. the sodium ion (Na^(+)) would either gain or lose electrons. In the given reaction the sodium cation does NOT gain or lose electrons but remains as Na^(+)

Similarly the chloride anion. Cl^(-)

Chemically the reaction equation is

NaOH + HCl = NaCl + H2O

Ionically this eq'n becomes

[Na^(+) + OH^(-)] + [H^(+) + Cl^(-)] = [ Na^(+) + Cl^(-)] +[ H^(+) + OH^(-)]

Notice all the ions present have neither gained nor lost electrons. Their ionic charge remains the same. So it is NOT a redox reaction. No ion has been oxidised nor reduced.

However, on applying universal indicator (UI), the NaOH would be BLUE, The HCl would be RED . On mixing the alkali and the acid together the UI would be GREEN. (indicating neutrality. Also the fact that water is produced indicated that the acid and the alkali have neutralised each other.

Answer 3

No, the reaction between sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid is not a redox reaction because there is no transfer of electrons between sodium, hydrogen, and chlorine atoms. It is a neutralization reaction where sodium chloride and water are formed.