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Sodium Methylate, Sodium Methanolate, Sodium Methoxide, Methoxy Sodium, 124-41-4

Sodium Methylate, Sodium Methanolate, Sodium Methoxide, Methoxy Sodium, 124-41-4

Sodium Methylate – Technical Overview

Property Value
Chemical Name Sodium Methylate / Sodium Methoxide
Chemical Formula CH₃ONa (also written as C₁H₃NaO)
CAS Number 124-41-4
EC Number 204-699-5
Molecular Weight 54.02 g/mol
Appearance White powder or 30% methanol solution
Solubility Soluble in methanol and ethanol; reacts with water

Production Process

Sodium methylate is produced via the reaction of metallic sodium with anhydrous methanol:

2 Na+2 CH3OH→2 CH3ONa+H22 \, \text{Na} + 2 \, \text{CH}_3\text{OH} \rightarrow 2 \, \text{CH}_3\text{ONa} + \text{H}_2

  • Highly exothermic reaction

  • Requires inert atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen)

  • Generates flammable hydrogen gas

  • Final product is typically a 30% solution in methanol or anhydrous solid

Industrial Applications

Sector Application Description
Biodiesel Production Acts as a transesterification catalyst; most widely used globally in 30% solution form
Organic Synthesis Used in methylation reactions and as a strong base in various syntheses
Pharmaceuticals Intermediate in API synthesis and fine chemical production
Polymers & Plastics Precursor for polyoxymethylene (POM) and other engineering plastics
Analytical Chemistry Used as a titrant (e.g., 0.5 M in methanol) in laboratory settings

Product Variants

Form Description & Use Case
30% Methanol Solution Most common; used in biodiesel and industrial synthesis
25% / 21% Solutions Lower concentrations for controlled reactivity
Anhydrous Solid (Powder) High-purity, moisture-sensitive; used in dry organic synthesis
Titrant (0.5 M in MeOH) Prepared for analytical titrations in labs

Sectoral Compatibility Table

Industry / Sector Compatibility Notes
Biodiesel ✅ Essential Global standard catalyst; improves yield and purification
Organic Chemistry ✅ Compatible Preferred base for methylation and condensation reactions
Pharmaceuticals ✅ Compatible Used in synthesis of active ingredients
Polymers / Plastics ⚠️ Limited Used in specific polymerization processes (e.g., POM)
Agrichemicals ⚠️ Limited May be used in synthesis of intermediates
Food / Cosmetics ❌ Not Permitted Toxic and flammable; prohibited by GMP and REACH

Safety & Handling

Hazard Description
Flammable Both solid and solution forms are flammable
Corrosive Causes skin and eye irritation; reacts violently with water
Toxic by Inhalation Vapors and dust may irritate respiratory system
Storage Requirements Store in dry, inert atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen); avoid moisture and CO₂

Packaging & Storage

  • Preferred Materials: Stainless steel, HDPE, PTFE

  • Avoid: Glass (alkali attack), PVC (permeability), moisture exposure

  • Shelf Life: Limited in open air due to hydrolysis

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