Suppose you had oxalic acid, \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{4}\), and you wanted to make sodium oxalate, \(\mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{4} .\) How might you do this?

To convert oxalic acid (H₂C₂O₄) into sodium oxalate (Na₂C₂O₄), follow these steps: 1. Write the balanced chemical equation: \(H_{2}C_{2}O_{4} + 2NaOH \rightarrow Na_{2}C_{2}O_{4} + 2H_{2}O\). 2. Obtain the reactants, oxalic acid (H₂C₂O₄) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). 3. Prepare separate solutions of oxalic acid and sodium hydroxide by dissolving the solids in distilled water. 4. Slowly add the sodium hydroxide solution to the oxalic acid solution, stirring continuously. 5. Allow the mixture to stand undisturbed, letting the sodium oxalate precipitate at the bottom of the container. 6. Filter the solution to isolate the solid sodium oxalate, rinsing it with distilled water to remove any remaining impurities. 7. Dry the sodium oxalate on a watch glass or use a gentle heat source to speed up the drying process, then store it in an appropriate container.