Why is there a need to boil distilled water in the preparation of NaOH base solutions?

Question

Why is there a need to boil distilled water in the preparation of NaOH base solutions?

Answer 1

This is to remove any dissolved CO2 as it will react with the NaOH forming NaHCO3, and Na2CO3 both of which are weaker bases ( affect normality of the solution of NaOH )and can cause a fading color endpoint with phenolphthalein

Answer 2

to remove CO2 dissolved > CO@ yields carbonic acid which reacts with NaOH base