Introduction: Neutralization reactions refer to reactions in which an acid and a base react with one another to produce a salt and water. When neutralization reactions occur in water, there are no excess hydrogen or hydroxide ions in the solution. Neutralization reactions are based on the premise that acids tend to have a relatively low pH value, or a pH less than 7, whereas bases tend to have a relatively high pH value, or a pH greater than 7. The pH of the neutralized solution, of course, is dependent on the strength of the acids used as the reactants during the neutralization. Neutralization reactions have become especially important as technology has advanced considerably to deal with environmental problems, such as acid rain.

Neutralization has important applications in our daily lives. For instance, slaked lime, or calcium hydroxide, is used to treat acidic soil that has poor soil fertility. In bodies of water, acidic conditions can lead to the death of aquatic organisms inhabiting the area, so sodium carbonate is used to neutralize these acidic conditions. Antacid tablets, which contain alkaline ions, are used to treat conditions like acid indigestion.