Compounds formed by the reaction of an acid and a base are known as?

The compounds formed by the reaction of an acid and a base are called salts. This process is known as neutralization, where an acid donates a proton (H⁺) to a base, which donates a hydroxide ion (OH⁻). The result is the formation of water and a salt. Salts are typically composed of the cation from the base and the anion from the acid.

For instance, when hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the products are sodium chloride (NaCl), which is a salt, and water (H₂O). This fundamental reaction is a key concept in chemistry that illustrates the relationship between acids and bases, as well as the properties and utility of the salts produced.

In contrast, esters are formed from the reaction between an acid and an alcohol, alkaloids are organic compounds containing basic nitrogen atoms, and alcohols are characterized by the presence of one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups but do not primarily derive from the reaction of acids and bases.