Sodium Hydroxide

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Caustic Soda - NaOH

What is Caustic Soda?


Caustic soda is an alkali salt which is also called Lye.
It is the common name of sodium hydroxide. This
name is given due to the corrosive nature of this salt on
animal and plant tissues. It has a wide range of
applications. The chemical formula of sodium
hydroxide is NaOH.
Preparation of  Caustic Soda
Sodium hydroxide can be prepared by
various methods like:
1.Castner-Kellner process
2.Nelson Diaphragm cell
3.Loewig’s process
Castner-Kellner process
Principle: In the Castner-Kellner method, electrolysis of brine solution is performed in
order to obtain sodium hydroxide.
Castner-Kellner cell: It is a steel tank that is rectangular. Ebonite is lined inside the
tank. Titanium acts as an anode and a layer of mercury at the bottom of the tank acts as
the cathode.
Ionization of brine solution occurs according to the following reaction:
2NaCl→2Na++2Cl−
When the brine solution comes in contact with electric current, ionization takes place. As
a result positive and the negative ions move towards the electrodes. Sodium ions get
deposited at the mercury cathode forming a sodium amalgam. Chlorine ions move
towards the anode and exit the cell from the top.
Reaction at the anode:
2Cl−→Cl2+2e−
Reaction at the cathode:
2Na++2e−→2Na
Formation of NaOH
The amalgam formed is then transferred to another chamber
called denuder. In the denuder, it is treated with water to obtain
a sodium hydroxide solution. On evaporation of the solution,
solid sodium hydroxide is formed. This is a very efficient
process in order to obtain pure caustic soda.
Properties of Caustic Soda
•It is a white solid which has a melting point of 591K
•It is a stable compound.
•NaOH is bitter and has a soapy feel to it.
•It is highly soluble in water and moderately soluble in alcohol.
•Sodium hydroxide is strongly alkaline in nature.
Caustic Soda Uses
•It is used as a cleansing agent and in the manufacturing of washing soda.
•Sometimes, sodium hydroxide is also used as a reagent in the laboratories.
•It is used in the preparation of soda lime.
•It is used in the extraction of aluminium by purifying bauxite.

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