What Is Sodium Methylate?
Sodium methylate, a white to almost white powder or mass, has the chemical formula CH3ONa, a molecular weight of 54.02, and CAS No. 124-41-4. It melts at 127 °C, is flammable, soluble in methanol, and decomposes in water.
Classified as a flammable and spontaneously combustible substance, sodium methylate is considered hazardous under the 2012 OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). It is categorized as a flammable solid, self-heating substance, corrosive to metals, and poses risks of acute oral toxicity, skin corrosion/irritation, serious eye damage/irritation, and specific target organ toxicity (single exposure).
Uses of Sodium Methylate
Sodium methylate is widely used in organic synthesis in the pharmaceutical, fragrance, and dye industries, serving as a reduction catalyst. It is also employed in the food industry to alter the physical properties of fats and oils in products like margarine and shortening. Furthermore, it has applications in the production of biodiesel fuel, as indicated by registered patents.