It is an inorganic compound of a strongly alkaline and highly corrosive nature, used in laboratories and in a wide variety of industrial processes. It appears as a white solid in the form of flakes, pearls, or granules, as well as in aqueous solutions at different concentrations. It is characterized by its high solubility in water, with exothermic dissolution. It is a versatile reagent used in acid neutralization, pH regulation, and chemical synthesis. Due to its hygroscopic nature, it easily absorbs moisture and carbon dioxide from the air, so it must be stored in tightly closed containers that are resistant to corrosion.