Question

Q.19. (a) A dry pallet of common base 'X', when kept in open air absorbs moisture and turns sticky. The compound is also a by-product of chlor-alkali process. Identify 'X'. What type of reaction occurs when 'X' is treated with strong acid ? Write a balanced chemical equation for such reaction.
(b) Can we store the base 'X' in an aluminium container? Give reason in support of your answer.

Answer 1

Answer 19:

(a) Dry pellet of "X" is of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH).
The reaction with strong acid is as follows:

NaOH (aq) + HCl (aq) $\to$ NaCl(aq) + H₂O(l)

This is a neutralisation reaction.

(b) No, we cannot store NaOH in an aluminium container because, Na is more reactive than Al, it corrodes the container.

2 Al (s) + 2 NaOH (aq) + 6 H₂O (l)$\to$2 Na[Al(OH)₄] (aq) + 3 H₂(g)