Sodium monoxide

Sodium is a soft, malleable soHd readily cut with a knife or extmded as wire. It is commonly coated with a layer of white sodium monoxide, carbonate, or hydroxide, depending on the degree and kind of atmospheric exposure. In a strictiy anhydrous iaert atmosphere, the freshly cut surface has a faintiy pink, bright metallic luster. Liquid sodium ia such an atmosphere looks much like mercury. Both Hquid and soHd oxidize ia air, but traces of moisture appear to be required for the reaction to proceed. Oxidation of the Hquid is accelerated by an iacrease ia temperature, or by iacreased velocity of sodium through an air or oxygen environment. 

The reaction is displaced to the right by dissociation of sodium hydride and Hberation of hydrogen. This dissociation is favored under vacuum or when the reaction 2one is swept with an inert gas to remove the hydrogen (24,25). In this manner, sodium monoxide substantially free of sodium and sodium hydroxide is produced. In the more compHcated reaction between sodium metal and anhydrous potassium hydroxide, potassium metal and sodium hydroxide are produced in a reversible reaction (42,43) ... 

SODIUM METHYLATE SODIUM MONOXIDE SODIUM NITRATE SODIUM NITRITE... 

Sodium Oxide (Sodium Monoxide). Na20, mw 61.98, white-grey deliq powd, mp 1275° (subl), d 2.27 g/cc. Combines violently with w, forming NaOH. Sol in w and ethanol with decompn. 

Because sodium is such a reactive element and is not found in its elemental form, it is responsible for the formation of many compounds on the Earth s surface. Sodium oxide (Na O), also known as sodium monoxide, is the most abundant and caustic salt of sodium in the Earth s crust, but sodium chloride (NaCl) is probably the most common and useful. Other... 

Sodium monoxide, NaaO.—The monoxide is produced by combustion of sodium in dry air, the peroxide being formed simultaneously or by heating the hydroxide or peroxide with sodium 4... 

The so-called sodium suboxide, obtained by combustion of sodium in a limited supply of oxygen, seems to be either a mixture or solid solution of sodium and sodium monoxide. 

When equivalent weights of sodium and potassium hydroxide are mixed, and fused in absence of air, sodium monoxide is formed, hydrogen evolved, and potassium distils at a temperature of about 670° C. The metal can be condensed, and the process is claimed to be applicable to its manufacture.2... 

SYNS CALCINED SODA DISODIUM MONOXIDE DISODIUM OXIDE SODIUM MONOXIDE, soUd (DOT) SODIUM OXIDE... 

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Sodium propionate may be irritant to the eyes and skin. Gloves, eye protection, and a dust-mask are recommended. When heated to decomposition, sodium propionate emits toxic fumes of sodium monoxide, NazO. 

Sodium monoxide is first produced by adding sodium metal intermittently to sodium monoxide in a rotary tube reactor while passing air through it countercurrently. The sodium metal rapidly distributes itself over the surface of the monoxide and in doing so is oxidized. The reaction temperature is 200 to 700°C and the heat of reaction is sufficient to maintain this temperature. In this way a noncaking material is obtained. The monoxide formed, containing a few per cent of peroxide and less than 1% sodium is withdrawn from the reactor intermittently. 

The metallic sodium is converted into sodium monoxide by oxidation in a revolving furnace to which only the theoretical quantity of oxygen is admitted. The granular sodium monoxide thus obtained is transferred to a... 

SODIUM MONOXIDE (1313-59-3 12401-86-4) NujO Violent reaction with water, forming corrosive sodium hydroxide. Violent reaction with acids, nitrated materials such as 2,4-dinitrotoluene. Incompatible with nitric oxide, phosphoms(V) oxide. Aqueous solution is incompatible with alcohols, aldehydes, alkylene oxides, cresols, caprolactam solution, epichlorohydrin, organic anhydrides, glycols, phenols may undergo exothermic decomposition with maleic anhydride. In case of fire use approved Class D extinguishers (e.g., Met-L-X or Lith-X ) or smothering quantities of dry sand, crushed limestone, clay. 

Oxids.—Two oxids are known Sodium monoxid—JIaaO— grayish-white mass formed when Na is burnt in dry air, or by the action of Na on NaHO. Sodium dioxid—NaaOa—-a white solid, formed when Na is heated in dry air to 200° (392° F.). 

The formation of a caustic skin over liquid sodium presents a further undesirable condition. Sodium hydroxide will react with sodium to form sodium monoxide and hydrogen. This reaction, however, does not proceed at a significant rate until the temperature is above 700 °F. and then is only moderately exothermic. The danger lies in the water associated with the sodium hydroxide — i.e., the caustic tends to absorb and retain water even at elevated temperatures. This is evident from the equilibrium concentrations presented in Figure 10 (3). 

In 1951, USI started operating the first continuous process for the production of sodium peroxide. The process is unique in a second respect — it utilizes air rather than pure oxygen. For nearly 70 years, variations of a batch process have been used. The present batch procedure involves oxidation of sodium to sodium monoxide with dry air, and subsequent oxidation of the monoxide to peroxide with 90" % oxygen. Details of process development and the improvements leading to a continuous process operated with air oxidation are reviewed. Sodium and sodium peroxide handling, peroxide uses, and estimated 1956 production are also given. Much of this information will suggest how others can handle sodium safely on a commercial scale. 

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