Alkali hydroxide

The alkali hydroxides are a class of chemical compounds which are composed of an alkali metal cation and the hydroxide anion (HO^-). The alkali hydroxides are:

• Lithium hydroxide (LiOH)
• Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
• Potassium hydroxide (KOH)
• Rubidium hydroxide (RbOH)
• Caesium hydroxide (CsOH)

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The most common alkali hydroxide is sodium hydroxide, which is readily available in most hardware stores in products such as a drain cleaners. Another common alkali hydroxide is potassium hydroxide. This is available as a solution used for cleaning terraces and other areas made out of wood.

All alkali hydroxides are corrosive, being strongly alkaline.

A typical school demonstration shows when a piece of an alkali metal is introduced to a bowl of water and a vigorous reaction begins. For example:

Sodium + water → sodium hydroxide + hydrogen gas

2 Na + 2 H₂O → 2 NaOH + H₂