Hydroxide facts for kids
Hydroxide in chemistry is a name given to the diatomic anion OH−, made up of oxygen and hydrogen atoms. Most chemical compounds that contain hydroxides are bases.
An Arrhenius base is a substance that when dissolved in an aqueous solution, it produces hydroxide ions. Therefore, hydroxide ions are heavily involved in acid-base reactions.
Many useful chemical reactions or processes involve hydroxide or hydroxide ions. Sodium hydroxide is used in industry as a strong base, potassium hydroxide is used in agriculture, and iron hydroxide minerals such as goethite and limonite have been used as iron ore. The aluminium ore bauxite is made mainly out of aluminium hydroxides.
Most inorganic hydroxide salts do not dissolve in water.
Uses of hydroxides
Many useful chemicals and chemical processes involve hydroxides or hydroxide ions. Sodium hydroxide is used in factories as an alkali, potassium hydroxide is used in farming, and iron hydroxide have been used as low grade brown iron ore.
List of hydroxides
- Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
- Potassium hydroxide (KOH)
- Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)
- Ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH)
Images for kids
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Schematic representation of the bihydroxide ion
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Beryllium hydrolysis as a function of pH Water molecules attached to Be are omitted
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Aluminium hydrolysis as a function of pH. Water molecules attached to Al are omitted
See also
In Spanish: Hidróxido para niños
