Some knowledge about sodium methoxide

About sodium methoxide 

Sodium methoxide is a colorless or yellowish viscous liquid, sensitive to oxygen, flammable, explosive. Easy to absorb moisture. Soluble in methanol and ethanol, decomposition into methanol and sodium hydroxide in water, decomposition in air above 126.6℃. Insoluble in benzene and toluene. Strong irritant and corrosive.

Mainly used as condensation agent and strong alkaline catalyst, as well as methoxylation agent for the preparation of vitamin B1 and a, sulfadiazine and other drugs. A small amount used in pesticide production. It can also be used as a catalyst for the treatment of edible fats and edible oils (especially lard). Can also be used as an analytical reagent.

Molecular formula: CH3ONA

Molecular weight: 54.02

Sodium methoxide is a colorless amorphous powder, sensitive to oxygen, flammable, soluble in methanol, ethanol, decomposition into methanol and sodium hydroxide in water, decomposition in air above 126.6 ℃.

Sodium methoxide has a wide range of uses, mainly used in the production of sulfonamides, V B6 and V A, sodium methoxide is also a catalyst for organic synthesis, used in pesticide production and oil processing industry.

Sodium methoxide products come in two forms: solid and liquid. Solid is pure sodium methoxide, and liquid is methanol solution of sodium methoxide, containing 27.5~31% sodium methoxide.

Sodium methoxide is a mature chemical product, which has been in production for several decades in China. The overall price is high in the south and low in the north. The price is about 4500 yuan /t in the southwest and 4000 yuan /t in Shandong. In 2004, the price changed little with the increase of methanol price. The profit of tons of products is 500 ~ 700 yuan.

Sodium methoxide's process

Solid sodium hydroxide and methanol are prepared in a certain proportion. After stirring and dissolution, the solid impurities are removed after precipitation and clarification. The clear liquid is pumped into the top of the reaction dehydration tower, and the refined methanol steam is added from the bottom of the tower for continuous reaction dehydration, and the product is obtained from the bottom of the tower. Water-containing methanol steam from the top of the tower into the distillation system refining, anhydrous methanol back to use.