Alkali hydroxide

Alkali hydroxide

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


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