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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 ...
n.o.s. = not otherwise specified meaning a collective entry to which substances, mixtures, solutions or articles may be assigned if a) they are not mentioned by name in 3.2 Dangerous Goods List AND b) they exhibit chemical, physical and/or dangerous properties corresponding to the Class, classification code, packing group and the name and description of the n.o.s. entry [2]
The reaction between sodium hydroxide and some metals is also hazardous. Aluminium, magnesium, zinc, tin, chromium, brass and bronze all react with lye to produce hydrogen gas. Since hydrogen is flammable, mixing a large quantity of lye with aluminium could result in an explosion. Both the potassium and sodium forms are able to dissolve copper.
Spent caustics are made of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, water, and contaminants. The contaminants have consumed the majority of the sodium (or potassium) hydroxide and thus the caustic liquor is spent, for example, in one common application H 2 S (gas) is scrubbed by the NaOH to form NaHS (aq) and H 2 O (l), thus consuming the caustic.
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Drain cleaners usually contain a strong base such as sodium hydroxide that decomposes hair and converts fats into water-soluble products. The reaction is exothermic, releasing heat to soften the fats. Drain cleaners can also contain aluminum, which reacts with sodium hydroxide to produce bubbles of hydrogen gas that help to break up the clog. [11]
An aqueous solution is a solution in which the solvent is water. It is mostly shown in chemical equations by appending (aq) to the relevant chemical formula . For example, a solution of table salt , also known as sodium chloride (NaCl), in water would be represented as Na + (aq) + Cl − (aq) .
The following chart shows the solubility of various ionic compounds in water at 1 atm pressure and room temperature (approx. 25 °C, 298.15 K). "Soluble" means the ionic compound doesn't precipitate, while "slightly soluble" and "insoluble" mean that a solid will precipitate; "slightly soluble" compounds like calcium sulfate may require heat to precipitate.