Sodium hydroxide solution, the chemical formula is Naoh, commonly known as caustic soda, caustic soda, caustic soda, etc., is a highly corrosive strong alkali, generally in the form of particles, soluble in water to form an alkaline solution, with deliquescence, in the air. The water vapor has a strong absorption property. Due to its diverse nature and wide range of uses, it is also widely used in the laboratory or in production. It is one of the very common chemicals.
Properties of Sodium Hydroxide
Alkaline, sodium hydroxide will completely dissociate sodium ions and hydroxide ions after dissolving in water, and can carry out acid-base neutralization reaction with any protonic acid.
Sodium hydroxide solution can undergo metathesis reaction with salt solution. Sodium hydroxide is easily deteriorated into sodium carbonate in the air because the acidic oxide carbon dioxide is contained in the air. Sodium hydroxide also acts as a catalyst in many organic reactions, such as saponification. Sodium hydroxide solution is alkaline, making litmus test solution blue and phenolphthalein test solution red.
The role of sodium hydroxide solution
Sodium hydroxide has a wide range of uses. In chemical experiments, it can be used as a reagent for scientific experiments. In addition, because sodium hydroxide solution has strong water absorption and deliquescence, it can be used as an alkaline desiccant. Sodium hydroxide is also widely used in the national economy, and many industrial sectors require sodium hydroxide. The sectors that use the most sodium hydroxide are chemical manufacturing, followed by industries such as paper, aluminum, tungsten, rayon, rayon, and soap manufacturing.
Sodium hydroxide has always been used in traditional household purposes, making soap is the oldest and most widespread use of caustic soda. Sodium hydroxide is used to produce various detergents, and even today’s laundry detergents are made from large amounts of caustic soda, which is used to neutralize excess oleum after sulfonation.
Due to the alkaline nature of sodium hydroxide solution, it is also used in the paper industry to cook and bleach paper sheets. In addition, petroleum products also contain some acidic substances after being washed with sulfuric acid, which must be washed with sodium hydroxide solution and then washed with water to obtain refined products. The cleaning process of the container; the processing process of starch also requires sodium hydroxide.
Since sodium hydroxide solution is a strong alkaline solution and is corrosive, it is necessary to avoid its dust or fumes from contacting the eyes or entering the respiratory tract, which will corrode the body, skin and eyes. Symptoms such as shock should be marked on the container containing sodium hydroxide, and personal hygiene should be paid attention to after use.
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