NaOH

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tomlib
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NaOH

Post by tomlib »

I have a question whether the properties of sodium hydroxide result from the function of the OH group or it is mainly the caustic properties of sodium that cause its alkalinity and hunger for hydrogen.
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ChenBeier
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Re: NaOH

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It is because of the OH- group. NaOH, KOH, Ca(OH)2, Ba(OH)2 and others have same behaviour.
The OH- group can react with H+ ( H3O+) to form H2O. It is a proton acceptor (Brönstedt) or a electron pair donator ( Lewis).
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tomlib
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Re: NaOH

Post by tomlib »

And ethanol C2H5OH, why is it not basic? It also has an OH group.
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ChenBeier
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Re: NaOH

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It is alcaline, because the OH group in NaOH is bonded to a metal. If OH group is bonded to a nonmetal like C, N, S, P, Cl and others it is working neutral to acidic, depending on the electronegativity.
More alcaline is C2H5O- in C2H5ONa.
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