In this article, I have explained some Some important salts which are commonly used it you want to read chemistry articles like acid base indicators etc. I suggest you to read salt article. 

Some important salts which are commonly used

1. Common Salt or Sodium Chloride

 Sodium chloride or NaCl is also called Common or Table Salt. This salt is produced after the reaction of sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. NaCl is a neutral salt. The pH value of this salt is about 7. Common salt is used to increase the taste of food. Many chemicals manufacturing by using this salt.

2.Sodium Hydroxide or caustic soda (NaOH)

 Sodium hydroxide is a strong basic compound. The chemical formula of sodium hydroxide is NaOH. This compound is also known as caustic soda. This is formed by the electrolytic decomposition of solution of sodium chloride or brine. In the process of electrolytic decomposition of brine which is aqueous solution of sodium chloride, brine converts into sodium hydroxide. In the process of converting brine to sodium hydroxide chlorine is formed at anode and hydrogen gas is formed at cathode. The process of converting brine to sodium hydroxide is called Chlor – Alkali process. 

2NaCl + 2H2O   ⎯→ 2NaOH + Cl2 + H2

Use of Sodium Hydroxide

1. Hydrogen or H2 gas is used as fuel. margarine, in making of ammonia for fertilizer, etc.

2.Chlorine or Cl2 gas is used in water treatment and manufacturing of PVC, disinfectants, CFC, pesticides etc. This compound is also used in the manufacturing of bleaching powder and hydrochloric acid.

3.Sodium hydroxide is used for degreasing of metals.

4.And it is use manufacturing of paper, soap, detergents, artificial fibers, bleach, etc.

3. Bleaching Powder or CaOCl2:

 Bleaching powder is also called chloride of lime and slaked lime. The chemical formula of bleaching powder is CaOCl₂ and chemical name is calcium oxychloride. The colour of this compound is yellowish white. Bleaching powder can be easily recognized by the strong smell of chlorine gas. When calcium hydroxide or slaked lime reacts with chlorine gas then it gives calcium oxychloride or bleaching powder and water is obtained. It is manufactured by Hasen-Clever Method.

Ca (OH)2   + Cl2    ⎯→    CaOCl2 + H2O

 Aqueous solution of calcium oxychloride is basic in nature. The word bleach means removal of colours. Bleaching powder is also used as bleaching agent. Bleaching powder is responsible for bleaching effect in chlorine.

Use of Bleaching Powder:

1.Bleaching powder is used as an agent that destroys microorganisms and keep water clean.

2.It is use as a moss remover, weed killers, etc.

3.Bleaching powder is also used for bleaching of cottons in textile industries.

4.It is also used for bleaching of wood pulp in paper industries.

5.Calcium oxychloride is used as oxidizing agent in many industries, such as textiles industry, paper industry, etc.

6.Bleaching powder is used as a bleaching agent.

4. Baking Soda or NaHCO3

 Baking soda is another important product which can be obtained from chlor – alkali process. The chemical name of baking soda is sodium hydrogen carbonate or sodium bicarbonate chemical formula is NaHCO₃. Baking soda is also known as bread soda, cooking soda, bicarbonate of soda, sodium bicarb, bicarb of soda or simply bicarb, etc.

Preparation Method: Baking soda is formed by the reaction of brine or sodium chloride with carbon dioxide and ammonia. This preparation method is known as Solvay process. In solvay process, calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) is used as the source of CO₂ and after that calcium oxide is used to recover ammonia from ammonium chloride.

NaCl(aq) + CO2(g) + NH3(g) + H2O(l) ⎯→ NaHCO3(s)↓ + NH4Cl(aq)

Properties of Sodium Bicarbonate:

1.Sodium bicarbonate is a white crystalline solid. But this crystal appears as fine powder.

 2.Sodium bicarbonate is amphoteric in nature.

3.It is sparingly soluble in water.

4.When sodium hydrogen carbonate is heated then it decomposes into sodium carbonate, carbon dioxide and water.

 2NaHCO3 + energy or heat → Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O

5.Sodium carbonate obtained after thermal decomposition of sodium bicarbonate decomposes into sodium oxide and carbon dioxide on further heating. This reaction is called Dehydration reaction.

Na2CO3 → Na2O + CO2

Use of Baking Soda:

1.Baking soda is used in preparing of baking powder. Baking powder is used in cooking and it produces carbon dioxide which makes the batter soft and spongy.

2.Baking soda is also used as an antacid.

3.Baking soda is used in preparing toothpaste. And this type of toothpaste makes the teeth white and plaque free.

4.Baking soda is used in cleansing of beautifies made of silver.

5.When sodium hydrogen carbonate strong heated then it gives carbon dioxide and sodium oxide. So, it is also used as a fire extinguisher.

Baking Powder: Baking powder releases carbon dioxide on heating. So, baking powder is used in cooking to make the batter spongy. Baking soda also releases carbon dioxide on heating. But baking soda is not used in cooking because on heating baking soda produces sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide. The sodium carbonate makes the taste bitter of food so it is not use to make food.

Baking powder is prepare from baking soda and a mild edible acid. Generally, tartaric acid is mixed with baking soda to prepare baking powder.

When baking powder is heated then sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3) decomposes to give CO2 and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). And CO2 causes bread and cake fluffy. Tartaric acid helps to remove bitter taste when sodium carbonate is formed.

5. Washing Soda or Sodium Carbonate

 Washing soda is used as a washing agent. It is main reason of this chemical that the clothes washed by a washerman appear so white. Chemically, washing soda is sodium carbonate decahydrate and chemical formula is Na2CO3.10H2O.

 Preparation Method: sodium carbonate decahydrate or washing soda is manufactured by the thermal decomposition of sodium hydrogen carbonate obtained by Solvay process.  The sodium carbonate decahydrate obtained in this process is dry. It is also known as Soda ash or Anhydrous sodium carbonate. Washing soda is produced by rehydration of anhydrous sodium carbonate. And there are 10 water molecules in Na2CO3. So, it is called as Sodium Bicarbonate Decahydrate. sodium carbonate decahydrate is a crystalline solid and it is soluble in water. But most of the carbonates are insoluble in water.

2NaHCO3 heat or energy ⎯⎯⎯ → Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2

Use of sodium carbonate:

1.Washing soda is used in the cleaning of cloths, especially in rural areas.

2.It is also use in the making of detergent cake and powder.

3.It is also use in removing the permanent hardness of water.

 4.Sodium carbonate decahydrate is used in glass and paper industries.