Sodium amalgam

Gray, brittle solid

Fixed

Depending on the composition; 61 ° C at 20 % Na

Risk

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Sodium amalgam is an alloy of sodium and mercury. It is a technically important reducing agent in the inorganic chemistry.

Production and representation

It is produced on a large scale, and is formed in the chlor-alkali electrolysis as an intermediate. Sodium amalgam is decomposed with water to form caustic soda, hydrogen and mercury which is recycled to the electrolysis circuit.

It can be produced directly by dissolution of sodium in mercury.

Properties

Sodium amalgam with up to 3% sodium is not too sensitive to air, but still must be carefully taken care of of air when stored. At a low sodium content, the alloy is liquid. The temperatures of the complete liquefaction ( liquidus ) amounted to 0.5% Sodium 0 °, 50 ° 1.0%, 1.5%, 100 °, 130 ° 2.0%, 2.5%, 156 °, 3.0% 250 °, 4.0 % 320 ° C.

Use

In organic chemistry, sodium amalgam is used for reduction of nitro compounds, the hydrogenation of multiple bonds, and disulfides, for the dehalogenation of halogenated paraffins and elimination of sulfo groups.