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Acids, Bases & Salts

Basic Salt

A salt whose aqueous solution has a pH above 7, or one that retains a hydroxide group.

Unit Dimensionless

In depth

Salts of a weak acid with a strong base are basic because the anion hydrolyses to generate hydroxide. The term also describes partially neutralised bases that still contain hydroxide within their formula, such as certain lead and copper compounds.

Examples in the real world

Sodium carbonate at pH 11; basic copper carbonate, the green patina on weathered copper roofs.