Question

What is the reaction when aluminum oxide reacts with sodium hydroxide?

Answer 1

Reaction of Aluminum oxide with sodium hydroxide:

• When aluminum oxide$\left({\mathrm{Al}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3\right)$ reacts with sodium hydroxide$\left(\mathrm{NaOH}\right)$ solution, it forms sodium aluminate$\left({\mathrm{NaAlO}}_2\right)$ and water$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$.
• This reaction takes place at a temperature of $900-1100°\mathrm{C}$.
• In this reaction, aluminum oxide behaves as an acid.
• The chemical reaction can be depicted as:

${\mathrm{Al}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+2\mathrm{NaOH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to 2{\mathrm{NaAlO}}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)$