Chemistry

50 Uses of bases with examples

Bases are chemical compounds that are able to form hydroxide (OH) ions in an aqueous solution. They are bitter in taste and soapy to the touch. Bases are used widely used for the industrial production of soaps and cleaning agents, and also for household use. Since it can neutralize the acid to form salts, it is also used as a pH-regulating agent in many different applications. In this article, we will discuss 50 uses of bases in industries, medicine, household, and chemical synthesis, with some examples. You can also read our post on the uses of acids.

Sodium bicarbonate is used as a leavening agents in the preparation of breads. — Sodium bicarbonate is used as a leavening agent in the preparation of bread.
Photo by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay

Industrial uses of bases

Sodium hydroxide(NaOH) is used in the manufacture of soaps and paper
Calcium hydroxide(Ca(OH)2) is used in the food processing industry as a preservative
Calcium hydroxide(Ca(OH)2) is widely used in the cement industry
Calcium hydroxide(Ca(OH)2) is used as a flocculant for sewage treatment
Calcium hydroxide(Ca(OH)2) is used as a precursor for sodium hydroxide in the paper industry
Sodium hydroxide(NaOH) is used in the synthesis of rayon which is a low-cost fiber used in the textile industry
Potassium hydroxide(KOH) is used as an electrolyte in batteries
Potassium hydroxide(KOH) is used to make soaps that can easily dissolve in water
Trisodium phosphate is used as a lubricant, acidity regulator in the food industry, and as a cleaning agent
Sodium hydroxide is used in the Bayer process to produce alumina from bauxite ore
Ammonia is used in the manufacture of many nitrogen-based fertilizers
Calcium oxide(CaO) is used as a pH regulator in neutralizing acidic soils.
Magnesium hydroxide is used as a flame retardant additive for insulation of the cable wires
Borax is used as a water softening agent
Borax is used as a flux in welding
Potassium hydroxide(E525) is used as a food thickener and stabilizer.
Potassium hydroxide(KOH) is used as an etching agent in the semiconductor industry
Strontium hydroxide(Sr(OH)2) is used in the food industry for the refining of beet sugar.
Lithium hydroxide(LiOH) is a strong base that is widely used in spacecraft to absorb carbon dioxide gas. It reacts with water to form lithium carbonate and water.
Lithium carbonate is used in the manufacture of cement
Calcium carbonate(E170) is used as a food additive for acidity regulation. It is also used as a supplement for calcium in food. But excess calcium can be toxic and is very dangerous to health.
Sodium hydroxide(NaOH) has been shown to dissolve wood at specific concentrations. You can read this article for more details.
Borax is used for the small-scale mining of gold. You can read this article for more details.

Uses of bases in medicine

Uses of bases as an antacid for acidity and heartburn — Uses of base as an antacid for acidity and heartburn
Image by Brett Hondow from Pixabay

Magnesium hydroxide is used as an antacid to cure indigestion
Dilute ammonium hydroxide solution is used as a household cleaning agent.
Sometimes, after an insect bite, mild bases are used to rub over that area to neutralize the effect of the acids injected by the insect
Magnesium hydroxide is used as a laxative agent but wrong doses can lead to side effects like diarrhea and muscle cramps
Lithium carbonate was used to improve cognitive functions in patients with mental disorders
Calcium carbonate is used as an inert filler for tablets in the pharmaceutical industry
Sodium bicarbonate is used to treat acid indigestion and heartburn
Aluminum hydroxide is used to treat peptic ulcers and gastritis
Potassium hydroxide is used for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum which is a viral skin disease. You can read this article for more information.

Uses of bases in our body

Trypsin is a basic enzyme used in the hydrolysis of proteins
The proteins in our body are made up of amino acids, some of which are basic in nature like arginine (Arg), lysine (Lys), and histidine

Household uses of bases

Uses of base as a house-hold cleaning agent — Uses of base as a household cleaning agent
Image by Monfocus from Pixabay

Calcium hydroxide(Ca(OH)2) is used in the Nixtamalization process for the preparation of maize and other grains
Sodium carbonate is used as washing soda for household cleaning applications
Sodium carbonate is used for hard water treatment to remove metal ions
Sodium bicarbonate is used as baking soda in cooking
Sodium benzoate is used as a food pickling agent in many salads
Magnesium hydroxide(Mg(OH)2) is used in the manufacture of deodorants
Borax is used for pest control in kitchens
Borax is used as a buffering agent in swimming pools
Dilute ammonia is used in many household cleaning agents
Calcium carbonate is used as a scrubbing and cleaning agent in our homes
Sodium bicarbonate is used as a baking powder for baking

Uses of the base in chemical synthesis

Calcium hydroxide(Ca(OH)2) is used in the synthesis of ammonia gas
Calcium hydroxide (CaOH)2 is used in the Bordeaux mixture with copper sulfate (CuSO4). It is used in agriculture as an anti-fungal agent.
Potassium hydroxide is the precursor for many potassium-based salts. They undergo neutralization with their respective acids to produce salts.
Barium hydroxide(Ba(OH)2) is used as a strong base in aldol condensation reactions.
Potassium hydroxide is used in the activation of carbonaceous materials. You can read this article for more information

What are the common uses of bases in daily lives?

Bases are used daily in our daily lives. It is used in medicine, industry, and in our homes.

Our toothpaste contains mild bases
Bases are used as pH regulators for water treatment
Bases are used as a household cleaning agent
Bases are used as a baking agent
Many bases are used as an antacid
Bases are used in the manufacture of soaps

Caution

Bases can be corrosive and even toxic. Never taste any chemical unless specified for consumption or under medical supervision. Always use a pair of gloves and lab coats while handling chemicals.

Research

You can read this article titled “Phase Evolution and Textural Changes during the Direct Conversion and Storage of CO2 to Produce Calcium Carbonate from Calcium Hydroxide” on using calcium carbonate for storage of carbon dioxide gas. Calcium carbonate reacts with carbon dioxide to form calcium carbonate.
In this article titled “Evaluation of limestone water softening using calcium hydroxide and carbonation” the authors study the effect of carbonation on water softening effect of calcium hydroxide
In this article titled “Effect of Morphology of Calcium Carbonate on Toughness Behavior and Thermal Stability of Epoxy-Based Composites,” the authors are studying the impact of calcium carbonate nanoparticles on the toughness and thermal stability of epoxy-based composites. Epoxy is a type of polymer used mainly in adhesive manufacturing.