Question

Discuss the chemical nature of metal oxides and hydroxides.

Answer 1

Most metal oxides and metal hydroxides are basic in nature. They react with acids to form salt and water.

Example:

\[\ce{CuO + 2HCl → CuCl2 ​+ H2​O}\]

Some metal oxides and hydroxides are amphoteric in nature. They react with both acids and bases.

Examples: ZnO, Zn(OH)₂, PbO and Pb(OH)₂.

Thus, metal oxides and hydroxides may be basic or amphoteric in nature.