Basic additives for silica soot compacts and methods for forming optical quality glass

A method of forming optical quality glass, the method comprising:

• contacting silica soot particles with a basic additive such that a pH of the silica soot particles increases to between about 8.0 and about 9.0,
• the silica soot particles containing between about 0.1 wt % and about 5.0 wt % water, and
• the basic additive being in a concentration of less than about 5.0% by weight of the silica soot particles;
• forming a silica soot compact;
• and
• removing the basic additive from the silica soot compact, wherein the silica soot compact has a density of less than about 1.00 g/cm3.