Examples of Bases

Any material that is slimy to the touch in aqueous solution, tastes bitter, alters the colour of indicators (e.g., turns red litmus paper blue), combines with acids to produce salts, and stimulates specific chemical processes is referred to be a base in chemistry (base catalysis). Hydroxides of alkali and alkaline earth metals (sodium, calcium, etc.) and aqueous solutions of ammonia or its organic compounds are examples of bases (amines).

In aqueous solutions, such compounds create hydroxide ions (OH-) (see Arrhenius theory). Both Brnsted-Lowry theory and the Lewis theory provide broader definitions of a base, including chemicals that display typical basic activity as pure compounds or when dissolved in solvents other than water.

What is base? 

A base is a chemical entity in aqueous solution that gives electrons, receives protons, or releases hydroxide (OH-) ions. Bases have specific distinguishing characteristics that may be utilised to assist identify them. These have a slick texture (like soap), have a harsh taste, combine with acids to create salts, and accelerate specific processes. Alkali metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, and soap are examples of bases.

Characteristics of Bases

A base has numerous distinguishing characteristics:

1. The dissociation of aqueous base solutions or molten bases into ions allows them to conduct electricity.
2. Caustic bases are powerful and concentrated bases. Acids and organic materials cause them to react violently.
3. With pH indicators, bases respond in predictable ways. Litmus paper turns blue, methyl orange goes yellow, and phenolphthalein turns pink when exposed to a base. In the presence of a base, bromothymol blue remains blue.
4. The pH of a basic solution is greater than 7.
5. Bases have a harsh taste to them. (Please don’t eat them!)

Types of Bases

Its degree of breakdown in water and reactivity of bases can be used to classify them.

Strong base

A strong base is a molecule that can take a proton (H+) from a very weak acid by entirely dissociating into its ions in water. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide are examples of strong bases (KOH).

Weak base

In water, a weak base partially dissociates. Both the weak base and its conjugate acid are present in the watery solution.

Super base

The superbase would be even better than a strong base in deprotonation. The conjugate acids of these bases are quite weak. Mixing an alkali metal with its corresponding acid produces such bases. Because it is a stronger base than the hydroxide ion, a superbase cannot stay in aqueous solution. sodium hydride is an example (NaH). The ortho-diethynylbenzene dianion is the most powerful superbase.

Neutral base

A neutral base is one that forms a bond with a neutral acid, sharing an electron pair from the base.

As a solid state, a solid foundation is active. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) placed on alumina are two examples. Anion exchange resins and reactions involving gaseous acids can both benefit from solid bases.

Some example of bases 

Methylamine – CH₅N 

Methylamine is a Lewis base with a low strength. Methanamine, methyl ammonia, methyl amine, and aminomethane are some of the other names for it. Methylamine is usually seen as a white gas in its natural form, but it can also be detected as a liquid in solution with ethanol, methanol, water, or tetrahydrofuran (THF). The cheapest primary amine is methylamine.

Lithium hydroxide – LiOH

Lithium hydroxide is an extremely powerful base. Lithium hydride and lithium hydroxid are other names for it. It’s a white crystalline substance that reacts rapidly with water and is soluble in ethanol to a degree. Some alkali metal hydroxides’ weakest base is lithium hydroxide. Its main application is in the production of lubricating grease.

Ammonia – NH3

Ammonia is a Lewis base with a low strength. Ammonia is colourless gas or liquid with a distinct odour.

Acetone – C₃H₆O

Acetone is a Lewis base with a low strength. Dimethylketone, dimethylcetone, azeton, -Ketopropane, and propan-2-one are some of its other names. Acetone is the most basic ketone molecule. It is a colourless, volatile, flammable liquid. It has a distinct odour, as do many bases.

Lithium hydroxide – LiOH

It is a strong base. Lithium is also known as lithium hydride and lithium hydroxide. It is a white crystalline solid that readily reacts with water and is slightly soluble in ethanol. Lithium hydroxide is the weakest base of the alkali metal hydroxides. It is basically used for the synthesis of lubricating grease.

Conclusion

Any material that is slimy to the touch in aqueous solution, tastes bitter, alters the colour of indicators (e.g., turns red litmus paper blue), combines with acids to produce salts, and stimulates specific chemical processes is referred to as a base in chemistry. Hydroxides of alkali and alkaline earth metals and aqueous solutions of ammonia or its organic compounds are examples of bases. A base is a chemical entity in aqueous solution that gives electrons, receives protons, or releases hydroxide ions. Bases have a harsh taste to them. A strong base is a molecule that can take a proton from a very weak acid by entirely dissociating into its ions in water. Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are examples of strong bases.