What Is Sodium Ethylate?
Sodium ethylate, a white to light brown powder or mass, has the chemical formula C2H5ONa, a molecular weight of 68.05, and a CAS number of 141-52-6. Its melting point is 300 °C, and it has a density of 0.868. Sodium ethylate is soluble in ethanol and decomposes in water.
Classified as a flammable and spontaneously combustible substance, sodium ethylate is considered hazardous under the 2012 OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) and the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). It poses risks including acute toxicity, skin corrosion/irritation, serious eye damage/irritation, specific target organ toxicity (single exposure), self-heating, and flammability.
Uses of Sodium Ethylate
Sodium ethylate is commonly used in organic synthesis as a condensing agent and a reducing agent as well as a catalyst. As an alkoxide (an organic base with an alkyl group), it is soluble in organic solvents and forms an alkoxide anion. This anion plays a crucial role in nucleophilic reactions, such as alkoxylation, by taking a proton from the reactant to induce the reaction. The condensing agent facilitates this process.