Give the chemical properties of water.

Explanation

The chemical properties of water are as follows:
i) Amphoteric nature : Water behaves as an acid as well as a base. According to Bronsted concept, water behaves as an acid with `NH_3`. With `H_2S` , water believes as a base.
`H_2O (l) + NH_3 (aq) iff OH^- (aq) + NH_4^+ (aq)`
`H_2O(l) + H_2S(aq) iff H_3O^+ (aq) + HS^- (aq)`
ii) Redox reactions involving water: Water can be reduced to dihydrogen by highly electropositive metals.
`2H_2O(l) + 2Na(s) to 2NaOH(aq) + H_2(g)`
iii) Hydrolysis reaction: Due to high dielectric constant, water has a very strong hydrating tendency.
`P_4O_10(s) 6H_2O(l) to 4H_3PO_4(aq)`
`SiCl_4 (l) + 2H_2O (l) to SIO_2(s) + 4HCl` (aq)
iv) Hydrates formation: From aqueous solutions many salts can be crystallised as hydrated solution. Association of water is of different types.
a) Interstitial water, For example, `BaCl_2 . 2H_2O`
b) Coordinated water, For example, `[Cr (H_2O)_6]^(3+) 3Cl^-`
c) Hydrogen - bonded water, For example , `[Cu(H)2O)_4]^(2+) SO_4^(2-) H_2O` in `CuSO_4 . 5H_2O` .