Sodium Acetate Anhydrous

Product Description

Sodium acetate is the sodium salt of acetic acid, with the chemical formula CH3COONa. It is often encountered as the trihydrate, which has the chemical formula CH3COONa 3H2O. Sodium acetate is a versatile compound with several practical applications:

1. Food Additive Sodium acetate is used as a flavoring agent and preservative in the food industry. It is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by regulatory authorities when used in accordance with good manufacturing practices. It can be found in a variety of food products, including condiments, sauces, snacks, and pickled foods.

2. Buffer Solution Sodium acetate solutions can act as buffers, helping to maintain a stable pH in various chemical and biological processes. It is often used in laboratory settings to prepare buffer solutions for experiments, especially in biochemical and molecular biology research.

3. Medical Uses In medicine, sodium acetate is sometimes used intravenously as a source of sodium ions and as a pH buffer in certain medical treatments. It can also be used topically in some medications.

4. Heat Packs Sodium acetate is a key ingredient in reusable heat packs known as "hot ice" or "heat pads." These heat packs contain a supersaturated solution of sodium acetate, which can be easily triggered to crystallize and release heat when a metal disc or button inside the pack is flexed or clicked.

5. Chemical Reagent Sodium acetate is used as a reagent in various chemical reactions, including in the synthesis of organic compounds and in analytical chemistry procedures.

6. Deicing Agent In some cases, sodium acetate is used as an alternative to traditional chloride-based deicing agents for roads and sidewalks. It is less damaging to concrete and metal surfaces and has a lower environmental impact.

Sodium acetate is generally considered safe when used appropriately, but like any chemical compound, it should be handled with care, following recommended safety precautions and guidelines.