Which compound reacts with an acid to form a salt and water?

Which compound reacts with an acid to form a salt and water?

• A. CH3F
• B. C2H5COOH
• C. LiCl
• D. LiOH

Answer: (D)

Neutralization reactions occur when an acid reacts with a base to form a salt and water. A metal hydroxide like lithium hydroxide acts as a strong base in solution, providing OH− ions. When it meets an acid, the H+ from the acid combines with OH− to form H2O, and the metal cation pairs with the acid’s conjugate base to make a salt. For example, LiOH reacting with hydrochloric acid gives LiCl and H2O. The other options don’t fit this pattern. CH3F isn’t a base capable of neutralizing an acid to produce water and a salt. C2H5COOH is itself an acid, so it wouldn’t neutralize another acid to yield water and a salt. LiCl is already a salt and has no base to provide OH− for neutralization. Therefore, LiOH is the compound that forms a salt and water when reacting with an acid.

Neutralization reactions occur when an acid reacts with a base to form a salt and water. A metal hydroxide like lithium hydroxide acts as a strong base in solution, providing OH− ions. When it meets an acid, the H+ from the acid combines with OH− to form H2O, and the metal cation pairs with the acid’s conjugate base to make a salt. For example, LiOH reacting with hydrochloric acid gives LiCl and H2O.

The other options don’t fit this pattern. CH3F isn’t a base capable of neutralizing an acid to produce water and a salt. C2H5COOH is itself an acid, so it wouldn’t neutralize another acid to yield water and a salt. LiCl is already a salt and has no base to provide OH− for neutralization. Therefore, LiOH is the compound that forms a salt and water when reacting with an acid.