Sodium ethoxide

• Sodium
• Sodium ethoxide

Colorless to yellowish hygroscopic powder

Fixed

260 ° C ( absence of oxygen )

Decomposition in water

Risk

598 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, rat, oral)

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Sodium ethoxide is a whitish to yellowish amorphous, hygroscopic powder with the empirical formula C2H5ONa from the group of alkoxides.

Production and representation

Sodium ethoxide as the alkoxide formed in the reaction of ethanol with sodium:

Properties

With water, the sodium ethoxide reacts violently with sodium hydroxide solution and ethanol are formed:

Even with acids and some metals it comes to violent reactions. Upon reaction with the acid is protonated Ethanolation the formed ethanol and the sodium salt. This extends even water from the acid.

At 30-50 degrees Celsius sodium ethoxide ignited in air by itself

Use

Sodium ethoxide is used for the synthesis of a variety of chemical compounds (for example, as a catalyst in a Michael addition to form a Reaktionsedukt or ethyl ether according to the Williamson ether synthesis. ) With carboxylic acid chlorides to form esters. It is still used for the preparation of metal oxide particles, ceramics, siloxanes, and phosphates.

Safety

Due to the resulting water, on moist skin or mucous membrane caustic soda, the product is highly corrosive. Special hazard exists ( corneal damage ) and the respiratory tract in case of dust formation for the eyes. That are produced during the decomposition of large amounts of alcohol vapors have drowsiness and irritate the eyes, nose and throat mucous membranes.