15 Facts on HF + Ag2CO3: What, How to Balance & FAQs

Ag₂CO₃ is a dry, greenish, light sensitive powder and metallic carbonate salt. HF is an ionic, polar weak acid with a dipole moment of 1.86 D. Let us see how Ag₂CO₃ reacts with HF.

Ag₂CO₃ is a sparingly soluble salt that comprises the transition d element (Ag). Due to its strong basicity, Ag₂CO₃ is used in organic transformation. It degrades by acid with the release of CO₂. HF is bad electric conductor due to less ionization. It can melt glass and plastics and be used in semiconductor formation.

In this article, we will discuss important facts about HF + Ag₂CO₃ chemical reactions such as reaction enthalpy, the heat required, the product formed, the type of reaction, the type of intermolecular forces between their compounds, etc.

What is the product of HF and Ag₂CO₃?

Silver fluoride (AgF) and carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) are produced when silver carbonate (Ag₂CO₃) reacts with hydrofluoric acid (HF) in its aqueous state. Unstable carbonic acid further breaks down into carbon dioxide (CO₂) and a water molecule (H₂O).

Ag₂CO₃ + 2HF → 2AgF + CO₂ + H₂O

What type of reaction is HF + Ag₂CO₃?

HF + Ag₂CO₃ is a double displacement, endothermic, and irreversible reaction.

How to balance HF + Ag₂CO₃?

The net unbalanced molecular equation for HF + Ag₂CO₃ is

HF + Ag₂CO₃ → AgF + CO₂ + H₂O

To get a balanced equation we should follow the steps given below:

• The reactant and product side of the chemical reaction should be equal in the context of the number of atoms.
• Here, the number of hydrogen atoms is 1 on the reactant side and 2 on the product side. So we multiply HF with a coefficient of 2 on the reactant so that the number of hydrogen atoms on both sides becomes 2.
• 2HF + Ag₂CO₃ → AgF + CO₂ + H₂O
• Similarly, the number of silver atoms is 2 on the reactant side while it is 1 on the product side. So we multiply  AgF with a coefficient of 2 on the product side so that the number of the silver atoms becomes the same i.e., 2.
• HF + Ag₂CO₃ → 2AgF + CO₂ + H₂O
• Hence, the net balanced chemical equation is,
• 2HF + Ag₂CO₃ → 2AgF + CO₂ + H₂O

HF + Ag₂CO₃ titration

The titration of HF + Ag₂CO₃ is not carried out because Ag₂CO₃ is less soluble in an aqueous solution. Silver chromate (Ag₂CrO₄) or silver nitrate (AgNO₃) are generally used in quantitative analysis of F^– ion in argentometric titration.

HF + Ag₂CO₃ Net Ionic Equation

The net ionic equation of HF + Ag₂CO₃ is as follows:

2H⁺(aq) + Ag₂CO₃ (s) = H₂O (l) + 2Ag⁺ (aq) + CO₂ (g)

To get the net ionic equation for HF + Ag₂CO₃, we should follow the steps given below:

• Write the general balanced chemical equation.
• 2HF + Ag₂CO₃ = H₂O + 2AgF + CO₂
• Now the solubility equation for HF + Ag₂CO₃ is written by labeling, the state or phase (s, l, g or aq) of each substance in the balanced molecular equation of HF + Ag₂CO₃.
• 2HF (aq) + Ag₂CO₃ (s) = H₂O(l) + 2AgF(aq) + CO₂ (g)
• Break all aquatic soluble ionic substances into their corresponding ions to get the complete ionic equation.
• 2H⁺(aq) +2F^–(aq) + Ag₂CO₃ (s) = H₂O (l) + 2Ag⁺ (aq) + 2F^–(aq) + CO₂ (g)
• To get the net ionic equation, remove spectator ions (F^–) from the reactant and product side of the complete ionic equation.
• So, the net ionic equation for HF + Ag₂CO₃ is:
• 2H⁺(aq) + Ag₂CO₃ (s) = H₂O (l) + 2Ag⁺ (aq) + CO₂ (g)

HF + Ag₂CO₃ Conjugate Pairs

The conjugate pairs (compounds differ by one proton in their respective pair) in HF+Ag₂CO₃ are:

• The conjugate base of HF acid is Cl^–
• The conjugate base of H₂O is OH^–
• The conjugate base of H₂CO₃ acid is CO₃^2-
• Ag₂CO₃ and AgF do not have their conjugate pairs because both compounds do not contain hydrogen atom that can remove as proton ion.

HF and Ag₂CO₃ Intermolecular Forces

The intermolecular forces that work on HF and Ag₂CO₃ are-

• The electrostatic force of attraction works between the silver and carbonate ions in the lattice structure of silver carbonate as Ag₂CO₃ is an ionic metal carbonate.
• Dipole-dipole force, London dispersion force, and hydrogen bonding are present as intermolecular forces in HF molecules.
• The electrostatic force of attraction and Coulomb force is present in AgF
• London dispersion force is the only intermolecular force that finds in CO₂ molecules because of its extremely low boiling point (-78.46 °C).
• Hydrogen bonds, dipole-induced dipole forces, and London dispersion forces exist in water due to their strong polar nature.

HCl + Ag₂CO₃ Reaction Enthalpy

The net enthalpy changes of the reaction HF + Ag₂CO₃ is + 40.06 kJ/mol. The value is gained from the following mathematical calculation.

• ΔH°_f = ΣΔH°_f (products) – ΣΔH°_f (reactants) (kJ/mol)
• ΔH_f = [ 2*( 206) + 285.8 + 393.5 – 2*( 272.72) + 505.8) ] kJ/mol
• ΔH_f = 40.06 kJ/mol

Is HF + Ag₂CO₃ a buffer solution?

HF+ Ag₂CO₃ mixture is not a buffer solution because the aqueous solution of HF and Ag₂CO₃ does not form the corresponding acid and base, a salt is formed instead.

Is HF + Ag₂CO₃ a complete reaction?

HCl + Ag₂CO₃ is a complete reaction because in this reaction HCl and Ag₂CO₃ are completely consumed and converted into the final product (AgF) successfully.

Is HF + Ag₂CO₃ an exothermic or endothermic reaction?

HF+Ag₂CO₃ reaction is an endothermic reaction because the net change of enthalpy is positive (40.04 kJ/mol) where the +ve sign interprets the following facts about the reaction:

• The +ve sign attributes that HF and Ag₂CO₃ absorb 40.04 kJ/mol energy from the surrounding environment during the reaction and become thermodynamically stable.
• Positive enthalpy also explains the products obtained in the reaction exhibit higher energy than the reactants so they are thermodynamically less stable.

Is HF + Ag₂CO₃ a redox reaction?

The reaction of HF + Ag₂CO₃ is not a redox reaction because electron acceptance and donation are not carried out during the whole reaction and thus the oxidation state of each element remains the same.

Is HF + Ag₂CO₃ a precipitation reaction?

HF+ Ag₂CO₃ is not a precipitation reaction because the completion of the reaction provides the AgF as the main product that is dissolved in reaction media. 

Is HF + Ag₂CO₃ reversible or irreversible reaction?

HF+ Ag₂CO₃ is an irreversible reaction because it is not possible to convert back the products into the reactants at the same reaction conditions.

Is HF + Ag₂CO₃ displacement reaction?

HF + Ag₂CO₃ is a double displacement reaction as in this reaction Ag⁺ and F^– switch their positions with each other. F^– displaces CO₃^2- from Ag₂CO₃ and Ag⁺ displaces H⁺ from HF.

Conclusion

This article concluded that Ag₂CO₃ is an inorganic compound that reacts with HF through a double displacement reaction and provides AgF and emits CO₂. AgF is dissolved in a reaction mixture that can be filtered by centrifugation in an aqueous medium. Heat is absorbed from surroundings during the reaction.

Kavita Singhal

Hi, I am Kavita Singhal, Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences. My subject area of interest is Physical and Inorganic Chemistry with special emphasis on Electrochemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Nano Chemistry, Corrosion Study, Cyclic voltammetry, Supercapacitance, and Organometallic Chemistry.
I love to bring to my readers the foundational aspects of the subject and my articles are focused on the major areas of chemical sciences in an easy yet informative approach. Looking forward to getting connected through LinkedIn: