Sodium hydroxide

 

Sodium hydroxide

Chemical formula	NaOH
OTP appearance	white solid
Molar Mass(g/mol)	39.9971
Density(g/cc)	2.13
Melting Point(°C)	318
Boiling Point(°C)	1388
Solubility in water(g/L)	1110
NFPA 704	0 3 1 ALK

Uses

Primary

• Industrial chemical
• Primary component in lye
• Primary alkali used to produce sodium salts from acids

Natural occurrence

• Sodium hydroxide does not occur naturally.

Hazards

Sodium hydroxide is extremely caustic, especially when wet. Exposure of wet (slaked) lye to skin or eyes is likely to result in severe chemical burns and/or blindness.

Production

Synthesis

• Metathesis: Combining aqueous sodium carbonate and calcium oxide produces sodium hydroxide and calcium carbonate

  Na₂CO₃(aq) + 2 Ca(OH)₂(aq)→2 NaOH(aq) + 2 CaCO₃(s)

Purification

• US patent 1562805 "Process for separating potassium and sodium hydroxides"
  Link courtesy Google