Alkali hydroxide
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The alkali hydroxides are a class of chemical compounds which are composed of an alkali metal cation and the hydroxide anion (HO-). The alkali hydroxides are:
- Lithium hydroxide (LiOH)
- Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
- Potassium hydroxide (KOH)
- Rubidium hydroxide (RbOH)
- Caesium hydroxide (CsOH)
The most common alkali hydroxide is sodium hydroxide, which is readily available in most hardware stores in products such as a drain cleaners. Another common alkali hydroxide is potassium hydroxide. This is available as a solution used for cleaning terraces and other areas made out of wood.
All alkali hydroxides are corrosive, being strongly alkaline.
A typical school demonstration shows when a piece of an alkali metal is introduced to a bowl of water and a vigorous reaction begins. For example:
- Sodium + water → sodium hydroxide + hydrogen gas
- 2 Na + 2 H2O → 2 NaOH + H2
