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Reactive Group Datasheet

Bases, Weak

What are reactive groups?

Reactive groups are categories of chemicals that typically react in similar ways because they are similar in their chemical structure. Each substance with a chemical datasheet has been assigned to one or more reactive groups, and CAMEO Chemicals uses the reactive group assignments to make its reactivity predictions. More info about reactivity predictions...

If you can't find a chemical in the database--but you know what reactive group it belongs in--you can add the reactive group to MyChemicals instead in order to see the reactivity predictions.

There are 29 chemical datasheets assigned to this reactive group.

Description

Flammability
Materials in this group are mostly nonflammable and non-combustible. Exceptions include the alcoholic solutions of sodium methylate (in which the solvent is flammable) and other mixtures that contain organic components. Also, ammonia, which is considered to be nonflammable, actually can burn (although it is difficult) and in confined spaces has exploded.
Reactivity
Compounds in this group neutralize acids exothermically to form salts plus water. When soluble in water they give solutions having a pH value between 7 and 12. 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.
Toxicity
Corrosive to tissue.
Other Characteristics
Solutions of bases have a bitter taste and a slippery feel; they turn red litmus blue. Bases are considered weak if they possess a pKa value less than 12 or a pH value between 7 and 12.
Examples
Ammonium hydroxide, disodium trioxosilicate, dithiazanine iodide, potassium cyanide solution, triethylamine.

Reactivity Documentation

Use the links below to find out how this reactive group interacts with any of the reactive groups in the database.

The predicted hazards and gas byproducts for each reactive group pair will be displayed, as well as documentation and references that were used to make the reactivity predictions.

Mix Bases, Weak with: