How to Prepare Common Acid Solutions

Learn how to prepare common acid solutions using this handy table. The third column lists the amount of solute (acid) that is used to make 1 L of acid solution. Adjust the recipes accordingly to make larger or smaller volumes. For example, to make 500 mL of 6M HCl, use 250 mL of concentrated acid and slowly dilute to 500 mL with water.

Always add acid to a large volume of water. The solution may then be diluted with additional water to make one liter. You'll get an incorrect concentration if you add 1 liter of water to the acid! It's best to use a volumetric flask when preparing stock solutions, but you can use an Erlenmeyer is you only need an approximate concentration value. Because mixing acid with water is an exothermic reaction, be sure to use glassware capable of withstanding the temperature change (e.g., Pyrex or Kimax). Sulfuric acid is particularly reactive with water. Add the acid slowly to the water while stirring.

You should wear protective gear when mixing acid solutions. Be sure you wear safety goggles, gloves, and a lab coat. Tie back long hair and make sure your legs and feet are covered by long pants and shoes. It's a good idea to prepare acid solutions inside the ventilation hood because the fumes can be noxious, particularly if you are working with concentrated acid or if your glassware isn't absolutely clean. If you do spill acid, you can neutralize it with a weak base (safer than using a strong base) and dilute it with a large volume of water.

Reagent-grade acids typically range from 9.5 M (perchloric acid) to 28.9 M (hydrofluoric acid). These concentrated acids are extremely dangerous to work with, so usually they are diluted to make stock solutions (instructions included with the shipping information). The stock solutions are then further diluted as needed for working solutions.