All the 1A oxides are basic and
react with water as follows:
Li2O + H2O ® 2LiOH
Na2O2 + 2H2O ® 2NaOH + H2O2
2MO2 + 2H2O ® 2MOH + H2O2 + O2
• the hydroxides
are all soluble in water
(LiOH is not very soluble as
there is some
covalency in the bonding).
• The name alkali metals reflects the
basicity of these oxides.