Sodium Carbonate
Sodium carbonate
The chemical formula is Na2CO3, and its common names are soda, soda ash, soda ash, disodium carbonate, and soda ash. It is usually a white powder or granule. Sodium carbonate is a strong electrolyte with a density of 2.532g/cm3 and a melting point of 851°C. It is easily soluble in water and glycerin, slightly soluble in absolute ethanol, and difficult to dissolve in propanol. It has the properties of salt and is an inorganic salt. Humid air will absorb moisture and clump, partially turning into sodium bicarbonate.
The methods for making sodium carbonate include combined alkali production method, ammonia-alkali method, Lubulan method, etc. It can also be processed and refined from trona. As an important inorganic chemical raw material, sodium carbonate is mainly used in the production of flat glass, glass products and ceramic glazes. Sodium carbonate is also widely used in daily washing, acid neutralization and food processing. Environmentally speaking, sodium carbonate is generally viewed as relatively harmless to ecosystems. However, large discharges may still affect the pH and total alkalinity of water bodies.
Chemical properties: The aqueous solution of sodium carbonate is alkaline and corrosive to a certain extent. It can undergo metathesis reactions with acids, and can also undergo metathesis reactions with some calcium salts and barium salts. The solution is alkaline and can turn phenolphthalein red.
Stability: Strong stability, but it can also decompose at high temperatures to generate sodium oxide and carbon dioxide; long-term exposure to the air can absorb moisture and carbon dioxide in the air, generate sodium bicarbonate, and form hard blocks; the crystal hydration of sodium carbonate Phosphite (Na2CO3·10H2O) is easily weathered in dry air.
