Sodium Ethoxide
It is commonly used as a strong base
It is commonly used as a strong baseThe sodium ethoxide is a chemical compound with the formula C2H5ONa. It is a white to yellow ish powder that is soluble in polar solvents such as ethanol and methanol. Sodium ethoxide is commonly used as a strong base in organic chemistry reactions, especially in the synthesis of esters from cacboxylic acids and alcohols. It is also used in the production of pharmaceuticals, dyes, and other chemicals.However, it is highly reactive and can be dangerous if not handled properly,as it reacts violently with water and is extremely corrosive to skin and other materials. As a strong alkaline catalyst and ethoxylating agent, sodium ethoxide is widely used in the pharmaceutical and pesticide industries. There are two types of industrial grade sodium ethoxide: liquid and solid. The liquid product is light yellow or brown, and it is an ethanol solution with a content of about 17.5% to 21% of sodium ethoxylate. The solid product is a white or yellowish hygroscopic powder, and the content of sodium ethoxylate is about 95% to 97%. Sodium ethoxide is prone to decomposition and deterioration in the presence of air or water.
Physical Properties:
| Melting Point | > 450 °C |
| Boiling Point | 2.850 °C - lit |
| Flash Point | 30 °C - closed up |
| Density | 0,87 g/cm3 at 20 °C |
| Appearance | Crystalline Powder |
| Colour | White to light yellow |
| PH | 12,6 at 20 °C |
| Vapour Pressure | < 0,1 hPa at 20 °C |
| Solublity | Soluble in methanol and ethanol |
