Sodium Hydroxide

Synonyms: Caustic soda; E524; lye; natrii hydroxidum; soda lye; sodium hydrate.

Description: Sodium hydroxide occurs as a white or nearly white fused mass. It is available in small pellets, flakes, sticks, and other shapes or forms. It is hard and brittle and shows a crystalline fracture. Sodium hydroxide is very deliquescent and on exposure to air it rapidly absorbs carbon dioxide and water.

Chemical Name: Sodium hydroxide

Alkalizing agent; buffering agent.

• Sodium hydroxide is widely used in pharmaceutical formulations to adjust the pH of solutions.

• It can also be used to react with weak acids to form salts.

Sodium hydroxide is a strong base and is incompatible with any compound that readily undergoes hydrolysis or oxidation. It will react with acids, esters, and ethers, especially in aqueous solution.

Sodium hydroxide is widely used in the pharmaceutical and food industries and is generally regarded as a nontoxic material at low concentrations. At high concentrations it is a corrosive irritant to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.

Observe normal handling precautions appropriate to the quantity and concentration of material handled. Gloves, eye protection, a respirator, and other protective clothing should be worn. Sodium hydroxide is a corrosive irritant to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. The solid and solutions cause burns, often with deep ulceration. It is moderately toxic on ingestion and harmful on inhalation.

Potassium hydroxide.