What is a characteristic property of bases when dissolved in water?

When bases dissolve in water, they exhibit the characteristic property of producing hydroxide ions (OH⁻). This reaction contributes to the increased concentration of hydroxide ions in the solution, which is responsible for the basicity of the solution. Bases typically take protons from water molecules, leading to an increase in the concentration of hydroxide ions, thus making the solution alkaline.

Hydroxide ions play a crucial role in neutralizing acids and are fundamental to the behavior of bases in chemical reactions. For instance, when a substance like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) dissolves in water, it dissociates into sodium ions (Na⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻). The presence of these ions is what allows bases to display their typical properties, such as turning red litmus paper blue.

The other options do not accurately describe the behavior of bases in water. For instance, bases do not produce carbon dioxide or hydrogen ions when they dissolve, nor do they produce nitric acid, which is an entirely different type of substance. The focus on hydroxide ions accurately reflects the nature and characteristic properties of bases in aqueous solutions.