Caustic Soda Flake Formula

Caustic Soda Flake Formula

Caustic Soda flake or Sodium hydroxide is one of the most common inorganic bases or alkalis. It is also called lye.

Caustic Soda Flake Formula and structure

Caustic Soda Flake formula is NaOH, and its molar mass is 40.01 g/mol. It is the alkali salt of sodium, and its structure is shown below.

Caustic Soda Flake is an ionic compound consisting of sodium cation (Na+) and hydroxide (OH-) anion.

Caustic Soda Flake Preparation

Caustic Soda Flake is industrially produced using the electrolytic chloralkali process, in which electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride solution gives chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide. Caustic Soda Flake or NaOH is obtained as a 50% solution in water, and then dried to give solid sodium hydroxide flakes or pellets.

2 NaCl + 2 H2O → 2 NaOH + Cl2 + H2

Caustic Soda Flake Physical properties

Caustic Soda Flake is an odorless, white crystalline solid with a density of 2.13 g/mL, and melting point of 318 °C. Caustic Soda Flake is widely available as pellets, flakes, granules, and also as aqueous solutions of different concentrations.

Caustic Soda Flake Chemical properties

Caustic Soda Flake is soluble in polar solvents such as water, ethanol, and methanol, and insoluble in organic solvents. Dissolving solid Caustic Soda Flake in water is a highly exothermic reaction and the resulting aq. NaOH solution is a colorless, odorless and important base used in the laboratory. As a strong base, sodium hydroxide readily reacts with acids such as HCl, to form the corresponding salts, as shown below:

NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O

Caustic Soda Flake is very hygroscopic (absorbs water from air) and also absorbs carbon dioxide from air.

Caustic Soda Flake Uses

Caustic Soda Flake is one of the most widely used bases in industry. Caustic Soda Flake is main uses are in the paper industry, petroleum industry, textiles industry, in the manufacture of soaps and detergents, in the Bayer process of aluminum production, industrial cleaning, and for pH regulation. Caustic Soda Flake is also used in the food industry for many applications.

Caustic Soda Flake Health effects/safety hazards

Caustic Soda Flake is a strong and highly corrosive alkali, which readily decomposes living tissues. Skin contact of Caustic Soda Flake solutions can result in severe chemical burns, and eye contact can cause permanent blindness. Solid NaOH reacts with water and acids in a very exothermic reaction, and can cause burns through splashing.