Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye and caustic soda, [1] [2] is an inorganic compound with the formula NaOH. It is a white solid ionic compound consisting of sodium cations Na + and hydroxide anions OH −. Sodium hydroxide is a highly corrosive base and alkali that decomposes lipids and proteins at ambient temperatures and may cause severe ...
Each ion can be either monatomic (termed simple ion), such as sodium (Na +) and chloride (Cl −) in sodium chloride, or polyatomic, such as ammonium (NH + 4) and carbonate (CO 2− 3) ions in ammonium carbonate. Salts containing basic ions hydroxide (OH −) or oxide (O 2−) are classified as bases, such as sodium hydroxide and potassium oxide.
The hydroxide ion forms salts, some of which dissociate in aqueous solution, liberating solvated hydroxide ions. Sodium hydroxide is a multi-million-ton per annum commodity chemical. The corresponding electrically neutral compound HO • is the hydroxyl radical. The corresponding covalently bound group –OH of atoms is the hydroxy group.
The most important sodium compounds are table salt (NaCl), soda ash (Na 2 CO 3), baking soda (NaHCO 3), caustic soda (NaOH), sodium nitrate (NaNO 3), di- and tri-sodium phosphates, sodium thiosulfate (Na 2 S 2 O 3 ·5H 2 O), and borax (Na 2 B 4 O 7 ·10H 2 O). [7] In compounds, sodium is usually ionically bonded to water and anions and is ...
All alkali metal hydroxides are strong bases, meaning that they dissociate completely in solution to give OH − ions. As strong bases, alkali hydroxides are highly corrosive and are used in cleaning products. Sodium hydroxide is readily available in most hardware stores in products such as a drain cleaner. Similarly, potassium hydroxide is ...
(aq) signifies that the ion is aquated, with cations having a chemical formula [M(H 2 O) p] q+ and anions whose state of aquation is generally unknown. For convenience (aq) is not shown in the rest of this article as the number of water molecules that are attached to the ions is irrelevant in regard to hydrolysis.
Sodium was first isolated by Humphry Davy in 1807 by the electrolysis of sodium hydroxide. Among many other useful sodium compounds, sodium hydroxide is used in soap manufacture, and sodium chloride (edible salt) is a de-icing agent and a nutrient for animals including humans. Sodium is an essential element for all animals and some plants.
In 1884, Svante Arrhenius proposed that a base is a substance which dissociates in aqueous solution to form hydroxide ions OH −. These ions can react with hydrogen ions (H + according to Arrhenius) from the dissociation of acids to form water in an acid–base reaction. A base was therefore a metal hydroxide such as NaOH or Ca(OH) 2.