Caustic soda [Chemical formula, Physical, Chemical Properties and Reactions]

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman | Last updated: February 3, 2024

The chemical formula for caustic soda is NaOH.

Physical Properties of Caustic Soda:

Characteristic Details
Appearance White solid or flakes
Boiling Point 1,388 °C (2,530 °F)
Crystal Structure Monoclinic or orthorhombic
Density 2.13 g/cm³
Electrical Conductivity High conductivity in aqueous solutions
Melting Point 318.4 °C (605.1 °F)
Odor Odorless
pH Highly alkaline (typically pH 13-14)
Solubility Highly soluble in water

Chemical Properties of Caustic Soda:

Characteristic Details
Chemical Formula NaOH
Chemical Reaction with Water Exothermic reaction, produces heat
Corrosiveness Corrosive to metals, glass, and many materials
Decomposition Decomposes at high temperatures (>600 °C)
Ionization Dissociates into Na⁺ and OH⁻ ions in water
Neutralization Used for neutralizing acidic solutions
Reactivity Highly reactive with acids and acidic compounds
Reactivity with Organics Reacts with various organic compounds
Saponification Reacts with fats to produce soap

Reaction of caustic soda with Alkali Metal

Alkali Metal Reaction with Caustic Soda Chemical Equation
Lithium (Li) Forms lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas 2Li + 2NaOH   react and convert into  2LiOH + H2
Sodium (Na) Forms sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas 2Na + 2NaOH   react and convert into  2Na2O + H2
Potassium (K) Forms potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas 2K + 2NaOH   react and convert into  2KOH + H2
Rubidium (Rb) Forms rubidium hydroxide and hydrogen gas 2Rb + 2NaOH   react and convert into  2RbOH + H2
Cesium (Cs) Forms cesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas 2Cs + 2NaOH   react and convert into  2CsOH + H2
Francium (Fr) Reacts vigorously with water and caustic soda (NaOH) 2Fr + 2H2O   react and convert into  2FrOH + H2,

2Fr + 2NaOH   react and convert into  2FrOH + 2Na + H2

Reaction of caustic soda with Alkaline Earth Metal

Alkaline Earth Metal Reaction with Caustic Soda Chemical Equation
Beryllium (Be) Forms beryllium hydroxide and hydrogen gas 2Be + 2NaOH   react and convert into  2Be(OH)2 + H2
Magnesium (Mg) Forms magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas Mg + 2NaOH   react and convert into  Mg(OH)2 + H2
Calcium (Ca) Forms calcium hydroxide and hydrogen gas Ca + 2NaOH   react and convert into  Ca(OH)2 + H2
Strontium (Sr) Forms strontium hydroxide and hydrogen gas Sr + 2NaOH   react and convert into  Sr(OH)2 + H2
Barium (Ba) Forms barium hydroxide and hydrogen gas Ba + 2NaOH   react and convert into  Ba(OH)2 + H2
Radium (Ra) Reacts vigorously with water and caustic soda (NaOH) Ra + 2H2O   react and convert into  Ra(OH)2 + H2,

Ra + 2NaOH   react and convert into  Ra(OH)2 + 2Na + H2

Reaction of caustic soda with Transition Metal

Transition Metal Reaction with Caustic Soda Chemical Equation
Iron (Fe) Forms iron(II) hydroxide and hydrogen gas Fe + 2NaOH   react and convert into  Fe(OH)2 + H2
Alternatively, forms iron(III) hydroxide and hydrogen gas 2Fe + 6NaOH   react and convert into  2Fe(OH)3 + 3 H2
Copper (Cu) Forms copper(II) oxide and water Cu + 2NaOH   react and convert into  CuO + H2O
Zinc (Zn) Forms zincate ion and hydrogen gas Zn + 2NaOH + 2H2O   react and convert into  Na2[Zn(OH)4] + H2
Aluminum (Al) Forms sodium aluminate and hydrogen gas 2Al + 2NaOH + 6H2O   react and convert into  2Na[Al(OH)4] + 3 H2
Nickel (Ni) Forms nickel(II) hydroxide and hydrogen gas Ni + 2NaOH   react and convert into  Ni(OH)2 + H2
Chromium (Cr) Forms chromium(III) hydroxide and hydrogen gas 2Cr + 6NaOH + 3H2O   react and convert into  2Na3[Cr(OH)6] + 3 H2
Manganese (Mn) Forms manganese(II) hydroxide and hydrogen gas Mn + 2NaOH   react and convert into  Mn(OH)2 + H2

Reaction of caustic soda with Non-Transition Metal

Non-Transition Metal Reaction with Caustic Soda Chemical Equation
Aluminum (Al) Forms sodium aluminate and hydrogen gas 2Al + 2NaOH + 6H2O   react and convert into  2Na[Al(OH)4] + 3 H2
Magnesium (Mg) Forms magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas Mg + 2NaOH   react and convert into  Mg(OH)2 + H2
Calcium (Ca) Forms calcium hydroxide and hydrogen gas Ca + 2NaOH   react and convert into  Ca(OH)2 + H2
Potassium (K) Forms potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas 2K + 2NaOH + 2H2O   react and convert into  2Na+ + 2KOH + H2
Sodium (Na) Forms sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas 2Na + 2NaOH   react and convert into  2Na2O + H2
Zinc (Zn) Forms zincate ion and hydrogen gas Zn + 2NaOH + 2H2O   react and convert into  Na2[Zn(OH)4] + H2
Tin (Sn) Forms stannate ion and hydrogen gas Sn + 2NaOH + 2H2O   react and convert into  Na2[Sn(OH)6] + H2
Lead (Pb) Forms plumbate ion and hydrogen gas Pb + 4NaOH + O2   react and convert into  Na2PbO2 + 2H2O
Bismuth (Bi) Forms bismuthate ion and hydrogen gas Bi + 2NaOH + 2H2O   react and convert into  Na2BiO3 + 3 H2

Reaction of caustic soda with Metalloid

Metalloid Reaction with Caustic Soda Chemical Equation
Boron (B) Forms boric acid and sodium borate B2O3 + 6NaOH + 9H2O   react and convert into  2Na3BO3 + 9H2O
Silicon (Si) Forms sodium silicate and hydrogen gas Si + 2NaOH + 2H2O   react and convert into  Na2SiO3 + 3 H2
Arsenic (As) Forms sodium arsenate and hydrogen gas 2As + 6NaOH + 3H2O   react and convert into  2Na3AsO4 + 3 H2
Germanium (Ge) Forms sodium germanate and hydrogen gas Ge + 2NaOH + 2H2O   react and convert into  Na2GeO3 + 3 H2
Antimony (Sb) Forms sodium antimonate and hydrogen gas Sb + 6NaOH + 3H2O   react and convert into  2Na3SbO4 + 3 H2

Reaction of caustic soda with Non-metal

Non-metal Reaction with Caustic Soda Chemical Equation
Carbon (C) Forms sodium carbonate and hydrogen gas C + 2NaOH   react and convert into  Na2CO3 + H2
Nitrogen (N) Forms sodium nitrite and ammonia gas 2NaOH + N2O   react and convert into  NaNO2 + NH3 + H2O
Phosphorus (P) Forms sodium phosphate and hydrogen gas P4 + 20NaOH + 20H2O   react and convert into  4Na3PO4 + 10 H2
Sulfur (S) Forms sodium sulfide and hydrogen sulfide gas S + 2NaOH   react and convert into  Na2S + H2S
Chlorine (Cl) Forms sodium hypochlorite and salt 2NaOH + Cl2   react and convert into  NaCl + NaClO + H2O

Reaction of caustic soda with Lanthanide

Lanthanide Reaction with Caustic Soda Chemical Equation
Lanthanum (La) Forms lanthanum hydroxide 2NaOH + La(NO3)3   react and convert into  La(OH)3↓ + 3NaNO3

 

Reaction of caustic soda with Actinide

Actinide Reaction with Caustic Soda Chemical Equation
Uranium (U) Forms uranium hydroxide 2NaOH + UO2(NO3)2   react and convert into  U(OH)4↓ + 2NaNO3 + H2O

 

 

 

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