A dry pellet of a common base B, when kept in open absorbs moisture and turns sticky. The compound is also a by-product of chloralkali process. Identify B. What type of reaction occurs when B is treated with an acidic oxide? Write a balanced chemical equation for one such solution.

Sodium hydroxide is a byproduct of chlor-alkali process. When it is kept in open, it absorbs moisture and turns sticky.

When sodium hydroxide is treated with carbon dioxide, it gives sodium carbonate. It is important to remember that carbon dioxide is an acidic oxide.

2NaOH+CO₂→Na₂CO₃+H₂O

Since this reaction is between a basic compound and an acidic compound, hence it is a neutralization reaction.

B is sodium hydroxide.