Question

A dry pellet of a common base B, when kept in open absorbs moisture and turns sticky. The compound is also of chloralkali process. Identify B What type of reaction occurs when B is treated with an acidic oxide ? Write a balanced chemical equation for one such solution.

Answer 1

The available information suggests that the base B is sodium hydroxide (NaOH). It is a deliquescent substance and becomes sticky on absorbing moisture from atmosphere. It is commercially formed by the electrolysis of a strong solution of sodium chloride (brine).

It reacts with an acidic oxide such as CO₂ or SO, gas to form corresponding salt and water. For example,

`2"NaOH" + "CO"_2 -> "Na"_2"CO"_3 + "H"_2"O"`

`2"NaOH" + "SO"_2 -> "Na"_2"SO"_3 + "H"_2"O"`