Names of 10 Bases

Examples of 10 Common Bases

Here is a list of ten common bases with chemical structures, chemical formulas, and alternate names.
Note that strong and weak means the amount the base will dissociate in water into component ions. Strong bases will completely dissociate in water into their component ions. Weak bases only partially dissociate in water.
Lewis bases are bases that can donate an electron pair to a Lewis acid.

01
of 10

Acetone

Acetone
This is the chemical structure of acetone. MOLEKUUL/Getty Images

Acetone: C3H6O
Acetone is a weak Lewis base. It is also known as dimethylketone, dimethylcetone, azeton, β-Ketopropane and propan-2-one. It is the simplest ketone molecule. Acetone is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. Like many bases, it has a recognizable odor.

02
of 10

Ammonia

ammonia molecule
This is the ball and stick model of the ammonia molecule. Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images

Ammonia: NH3
Ammonia is a weak Lewis base. It is a colorless liquid or gas with a distinctive odor.

03
of 10

Calcium Hydroxide

calcium hydroxide
This is the chemical structure of calcium hydroxide. Todd Helmenstine

Calcium hydroxide: Ca(OH)2
Calcium hydroxide is considered a strong to medium strength base. It will completely dissociate in solutions of less than 0.01 M, but weakens as concentration increases.
Calcium hydroxide is also known as calcium dihydroxide, calcium hydrate, hydralime, hydrated lime, caustic lime, slaked lime, lime hydrate, lime water and milk of lime. The chemical is white or colorless and may be crystalline.

04
of 10

Lithium Hydroxide

lithium hydroxide
This is the chemical structure of lithium hydroxide. Todd Helmenstine

Lithium hydroxide: LiOH
Lithium hydroxide is a strong base. It is also known as lithium hydrate and lithium hydroxid. 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. Its primary use is for the synthesis of lubricating grease.

05
of 10

Methylamine

methylamine
This is the chemical structure of methylamine. Ben Mills/PD

Methylamine: CH5N
Methylamine is a weak Lewis base. It is also known as methanamine, MeNH2, methyl ammonia, methyl amine, and aminomethane. Methylamine is most commonly encountered in pure form as a colorless gas, although it's also found as a liquid in solution with ethanol, methanol, water, or tetrahydrofuran (THF). Methylamine is the simplest primary amine.

06
of 10

Potassium Hydroxide

potassium hydroxide
This is the chemical structure of potassium hydroxide. Todd Helmenstine

Potassium hydroxide: KOH
Potassium hydroxide is a strong base. It is also known as lye, sodium hydrate, caustic potash and potash lye. Potassium hydroxide is a white or colorless solid, used extensively in laboratories and everyday processes. It's one of the most commonly encountered bases.

07
of 10

Pyridine

pyridine
This is the chemical structure of pyridine. Todd Helmenstine

Pyridine: C5H5N
Pyridine is a weak Lewis base. It is also known as azabenzene. Pyridine is a highly flammable, colorless liquid. It's soluble in water and has a distinctive fishy smell that most people find repugnant and possibly nauseating. One interesting pyridine fact is that the chemical is commonly added as a denaturant to ethanol to make it unsuitable for drinking.

08
of 10

Rubidium Hydroxide

rubidium hydroxide
This is the chemical structure of rubidium hydroxide. Todd Helmenstine

Rubidium hydroxide: RbOH
Rubidium hydroxide is a strong base. It is also known as rubidium hydrate. Rubidium hydroxide does not occur naturally. This base is prepared in a lab. It's a highly corrosive chemical, so protective clothing is needed when working with it. Skin contact instantly causes chemical burns.

09
of 10

Sodium Hydroxide

sodium hydroxide
This is the chemical structure of sodium hydroxide. Todd Helmenstine

Sodium hydroxide: NaOH
Sodium hydroxide is a strong base. It is also known as lye, caustic soda, soda lye, white caustic, natrium causticum and sodium hydrate. Sodium hydroxide is an extremely caustic white solid. It's used for many processes, including soap-making, as a drain cleaner, to make other chemicals, and to increase the alkalinity of solutions.

10
of 10

Zinc Hydroxide

zinc hydroxide
This is the chemical structure of zinc hydroxide. Todd Helmenstine

Zinc hydroxide: Zn(OH)2
Zinc hydroxide is a weak base. Zinc hydroxide is a white solid. It occurs naturally or is prepared in a lab. It's easily prepared by adding sodium hydroxide to any zinc salt solution.

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Helmenstine, Todd. "Names of 10 Bases." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/names-of-10-bases-603865. Helmenstine, Todd. (2023, April 5). Names of 10 Bases. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/names-of-10-bases-603865 Helmenstine, Todd. "Names of 10 Bases." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/names-of-10-bases-603865 (accessed March 19, 2024).