Question

Reaction mechanism for unclogging drains with sodium hydroxide? And what it does to unclog it.

Answer 1

Main Cause of bath room clog: - Clumps of hair and soap residue

Main Cause of Kitcen clog - Food particles. fat, grease and dirt

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Sodium hydroxide, NaOH, also known as lye or caustic soda, is an extremely caustic (corrosive and damaging to human tissue) white solid that readily dissolves in water.

Sodium hydroxide, can dissolve many organic matter including food particles.fat, hair and grease.

Sodium hydroxide dissolves hair (containing proteins) and fats inside pipes via alkaline hydrolysis of amide and ester respectively:

RCONH₂(amide or proteins)+ OH⁻ → NH₃ + RCOO⁻

RCO₂R’(ester or fats)+ OH⁻ → R'OH + RCOO⁻