Chemical Properties
solid
General Description
A fine white to cream crystalline solid. Toxic by ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption. Denser than water.
Air & Water Reactions
Slightly soluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
Bases or alkalis are chemically similar to sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or sodium oxide (Na2O). They neutralize acids exothermically to form salts plus water. When soluble in water they give solutions having a pH greater than 7.0. Mixing these materials with water can generate troublesome amounts of heat as the base is dissolved or diluted. Bases react with certain metals (such as aluminum and zinc) to form oxides or hydroxides of the metal and generate gaseous hydrogen. Bases may initiate polymerization reactions in polymerizable organic compounds, especially epoxides). They may generate flammable and/or toxic gases with ammonium salts, nitrides, halogenated organics, various metals, peroxides, and hydroperoxides. Materials of this group often serve as catalysts.
Health Hazard
Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through skin. Avoid any skin contact. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may pollute waterways.
Safety Profile
Poison by intravenous route. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Hg.
Purification Methods
Crystallise it from dilute aqueous NaOH. [Waugh et al. J Phys Chem 59 395 1955, Beilstein 16 IV 1721.]
