Ionic metal oxides react with water to give hydroxides (compounds containing the OH⁻ ion) and resultant basic solutions, whereas most nonmetal oxides react with water to form acids and resultant acidic solutions (see the table).

Do oxides dissolve in water?

Basic Oxides

As predicted by the generalized solubility rules, only those metal oxides of the nonacidic and feebly acidic cation dissolve in water. The dissolution is highly exothermic generating the hydroxide of the cation. These aqueous solutions are strongly basic.

Which oxides do not react with water?

Reaction with water: Aluminum oxide is insoluble in water and does not react like sodium oxide and magnesium oxide.