Characteristic

 

Sodium acetate, CH₃COONa, also abbreviated NaOAc, is the sodium salt of acetic acid. This colorless deliquescent salt has a wide range of uses.

Chemical formula:C₂H₃NaO₂

Molar mass: 82.034 g/mol

Appearance: White deliquescent powder

Odor: Vinegar (acetic acid) odor when heated to decomposition

Density: 1.528 g/cm³ (20 °C, anhydrous);1.45 g/cm³ (20 °C, trihydrate)

Melting point: 324 °C (615 °F; 597 K)(anhydrous);58 °C (136 °F; 331 K)(trihydrate)

Boiling point: 881.4 °C (1,618.5 °F; 1,154.5 K)(anhydrous);122 °C (252 °F; 395 K)(trihydrate) decomposes

Solubility in water:Anhydrous:119 g/100 mL (0 °C);123.3 g/100 mL (20 °C);125.5 g/100 mL (30 °C);137.2 g/100 mL (60 °C);162.9 g/100 mL (100 °C)；Trihydrate:32.9 g/100 mL (-10 °C);36.2 g/100 mL (0 °C);46.4 g/100 mL (20 °C);82 g/100 mL (50 °C)

Solubility:Soluble in alcohol, hydrazine, SO₂

Solubility in methanol:16 g/100 g (15 °C);16.55 g/100 g (67.7 °C)

Solubility in ethanol:Trihydrate:5.3 g/100 mL

Solubility in acetone:0.5 g/kg (15 °C)

Acidity (pKa):24 (20 °C) 4.75 CH3COOH

Basicity (pKb):9.25

Magnetic susceptibility (χ):−37.6·10⁻⁶ cm³/mol

Refractive index (nD):1.464

Crystal structure:Monoclinic

 

Application

 

Sodium acetate is used as buffering agent with acetic acid. It is used in many areas like cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, bronzing and textile industry. It is employed in production of dye materials, as a polymerization catalyst, as a polymer stabilizer, as a plating agent, preparation of gel stains, preservative in food production and flavor enhancer in the nutrient industry. Sodium acetate used in the study of lithography, photography. It is used as a base in several organic reactions in research laboratories and industries.