In the neutralization reaction H2SO4 + 2 KOH → K2SO4 + 2 HOH, which compound is a salt?

In the neutralization reaction H2SO4 + 2 KOH → K2SO4 + 2 HOH, which compound is a salt?

• A. KOH
• B. H2SO4
• C. K2SO4
• D. HOH

Answer: (C)

Salt formation in acid–base reactions occurs when the ions from the acid and base combine to give an ionic compound. In a neutralization like this, the sulfate ion from the acid pairs with the potassium ion from the base to produce potassium sulfate, K2SO4. The other product is water, written as HOH. The reagents themselves (the acid and the base) are not salts in the reaction; they are the sources of the ions that form the salt and water. So the salt produced here is potassium sulfate.

Salt formation in acid–base reactions occurs when the ions from the acid and base combine to give an ionic compound. In a neutralization like this, the sulfate ion from the acid pairs with the potassium ion from the base to produce potassium sulfate, K2SO4. The other product is water, written as HOH. The reagents themselves (the acid and the base) are not salts in the reaction; they are the sources of the ions that form the salt and water. So the salt produced here is potassium sulfate.