Sodium acetate, with the chemical formula CH₃COONa, is an organic salt, commonly found in the form of anhydrous and trihydrate (CH₃COONa·3H₂O).
Basic properties:
- Appearance: Colorless or white crystalline powder, easily soluble in water, the aqueous solution is weakly alkaline.
- Solubility: easily soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol.
- pH value: The pH of 1% aqueous solution is about 8-9.
Main applications:
- Food industry: used as preservatives, acidity regulators, etc. in food processing.
- Medical field: used as buffer and electrolyte supplement.
- Laboratory: commonly used reagent for buffer solution preparation and chemical analysis.
- Others: also used in textile, papermaking, detergent and other industries.
Preparation method:
It is mainly prepared by the reaction of acetic acid with sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate. The reaction is as follows:
- CH₃COOH + NaOH → CH₃COONa + H₂O
- 2CH₃COOH + Na₂CO₃ → 2CH₃COONa + CO₂ + H₂O
Safety precautions:
- Inhalation: May irritate the respiratory tract, so please operate in a well-ventilated place.
- Contact: May irritate the skin and eyes, so please wear protective equipment when operating.
- Ingestion: Ingestion of large amounts may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, so please avoid accidental ingestion.
Storage:
It should be stored in a cool, dry, ventilated place, away from acids and flammable materials.
Summary:
Sodium acetate is widely used in food, medicine, laboratories and other fields. When using it, attention should be paid to safe operation and storage conditions.