Classification of Oxides

• Acidic Oxides


  • most non metals react with oxygen to form basic oxides
  • acidic oxides dissolve in water to form acidic solutions (...acid)
  • acidic oxides react with alkalis to form salts and water (AAWS)
  • non metal and more than one oxygen atom
• Basic Oxides


  • most metals react with oxygen to form basic oxides
  • basic oxides react with acids to from salts and water (AAWS)
  • metal and oxygen (besides ZnO, Al2O3, PbO)
• Neutral oxides


  • some nonmetals react with oxygen to form neutral oxides
  • neither acidic nor basic
  • do not react with acids or alkalis
  • non metal and only one oxygen atom
• Amphoteric oxides


  • some metals react with oxygen to form amphoteric oxides
  • have both acidic and basic properties, so they react with both acids and alkalis
  • Zinc oxide ZnO
  • aluminium oxide Al2O3
  • Lead oxide PbO