Final answer:
Sodium benzoate is formed from benzoic acid through a neutralization reaction with bases such as sodium hydroxide or sodium bicarbonate. This results in water and the salt sodium benzoate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sodium benzoate is formed from benzoic acid by a type of chemical reaction known as neutralization. In this process, an acid reacts with a base to produce water and a salt. When benzoic acid reacts with aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the following reaction occurs:
C6H5COOH (aq) + NaOH (aq) → C6H5COONa (aq) + H2O (l)
This reaction demonstrates how an organic acid (benzoic acid) reacts with an aqueous base (sodium hydroxide) to yield a salt (sodium benzoate) and water, highlighting the typical acid-base interaction. Similarly, when benzoic acid reacts with sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), this also results in the formation of sodium benzoate, carbon dioxide, and water:
C6H5COOH (aq) + NaHCO3 (aq) → C6H5COONa (aq) + CO2 (g) + H2O (l)
The neutralization reaction efficiently converts the benzoic acid to its sodium salt, which is more soluble in water and beneficial as a preservative in various acidic foods such as fruit juices and soft drinks.