Neutralization Reaction

[Rebekah Han 2K]

In a neutralization reaction of CH3COOH and Ca(OH)2, you would get 2CH3COOH + Ca(OH)2 --> 2H2O + Ca2+ + 2CH3COO-. I don't understand how water is formed. I know the CH3COOH would give its protons to the (OH)2. So then, from the (OH)2, there would be 2 oxygens and 2 hydrogens plus the H from CH3COOH. Then that gives 3 H and 2 oxygens, so I don't know how a water molecule is formed. Sorry if that was confusing.

[Rena Wu 3E]

Hi Rebekah, since acetic acid in the reactants side of the equation contains a stoichiometric coefficient of 2, there would be 2 H atoms from the acetic acid (CH3COOH) that would give its protons to (OH)2. So then, you would be left with 2 oxygens, 2 hydrogens (from the OH molecules), and 2 more hydrogens (from CH3COOH). With that, you will be left with enough atoms to form 2 H2O molecules. Hope this helps!