sodium*
. . . metal
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Tch
1
2
-
-
5
-
-
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4.3
DHS
CW
Hazardous Chemical
|
I
|
1428
7440-23-5
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Toxic if ingested. Reacts violently with water to form hydrogen gas which, on mixing with air, may explode; reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide, which is highly corrosive to the skin and eyes. Reacts explosively with acids, polyhalogenated hydrocarbons, (e.g. chloroform), bromine, iodine and sulfur.
Must be stored under liquid paraffin or kerosene to prevent reaction of sodium with oxygen or water vapour. Combustion reactions with oxygen and chlorine gases are violent and should be attempted only with minute (50 mg) quantities of sodium.
For the sodium fusion test, use only a small amount of sodium (0.2 g) and sample (0.1 g); carry out the reaction in a fume cupboard behind a blast shield.
Reaction of sodium with water should be carried out by adding a small (approximately 3 mm-side cube) lump of sodium to a beaker filled to the top with water to minimise space where hydrogen/air mixture can accumulate.
Cover the beaker with wire gauze immediately after adding the sodium. Carry out experiments involving sodium with the greatest care and, preferably, in a fume cupboard. Do not try to hold sodium in place on the surface of the water in order to collect the hydrogen; the gas is likely to ignite or explode.
Placing sodium metal on wet filter paper usually results in ignition of the hydrogen gas. Can be used to test for presence of alcohols.
4
See METALS, ACTIVE,
REDUCTANTS
and Appendix F
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