Characteristic

 

Sodium bicarbonate (IUPAC name: sodium hydrogen carbonate), commonly known as baking soda (mainly North America) or bicarbonate of soda, is a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO₃. It is a salt composed of a sodium cation (Na⁺) and a bicarbonate anion (HCO₃⁻).

Chemical formula:NaHCO₃

Molar mass: 84.0066 g mol⁻¹

Appearance:White crystals

Odor:Odorless

Density:2.20 g/cm³

Melting point:(Decomposes to sodium carbonate starting at 50 °C)

Solubility in water:69 g/L (0 °C);96 g/L (20 °C);165 g/L (60 °C)

Solubility:0.02 wt% acetone, 2.13 wt% methanol @22 °C.insoluble in ethanol

log P:−0.82

Acidity (pKa):10.329;6.351 (carbonic acid)

Refractive index (nD):nα = 1.377 nβ = 1.501 nγ = 1.583

Crystal structure:Monoclinic

 

Application

 

Sodium hydrogen carbonate is used as a laboratory chemical, a leavening agent, a neutralizer, as an active component in fire extinguishers, as a source of carbon dioxide and as a pH balancer in pools, as a cattle feed supplement and in spas and garden ponds. It is utilized for paint and corrosion removal, in baking powder, as a mild abrasive and a cleaning compound. In the field of medicine, it is used as an antacid to treat acid indigestion and heartburn.