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Sodium Oxide

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Last updated date: 22nd Mar 2024
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Sodium Oxide - Properties, Uses, Structure, Preparation and FAQ

When it comes to Chemistry, compounds are very common. You will get to relate yourself through various aspects of the studies. Compounds are simple molecules that are made up of two or more elements. By looking at the name or chemical formula, one can find out what are the elements included in the compound. One of the examples is Sodium Oxide.

The name suggests that Sodium Oxide is a source of Sodium that is highly insoluble and thermally stable. It is the best use for optic, glass, and ceramic applications. The compounds that are oxidized are conductive to electricity. However, there are certain perovskite structures of oxides that are electronically conductive. For this reason, it finds its application in the cathode of oxidized solid fuel cells and in the generation system of oxygen. Sodium Oxide is a form of a compound that contains at least one O2 anion and one metallic cation.

Theoretical Properties of Sodium Oxide

Molecular Weight

61.97

Compound Formula

Na2O

Appearance 

Yellow Crystalline Solid

Melting Point

1,132°C (2,070° F)

Boiling Point

1,950°C (3,542° F)

Density

2.27 g/cm3


How are they Useful for Normal Applications?

Sodium Oxide stays insoluble in water or other aqueous solutions. This makes it extremely stable for making ceramic structures, clay bowls, light-weight structural components in the industry of aerospace, and advanced electronics. It is also used for making fuel cells due to the properties of ionic conductivity. The compounds are basic anhydrides, and therefore, react well with acids. Sodium Oxides are available in pieces, pellets, tablets, sputtering targets, and nanopowder.

Na2O Structure

The Na2O structure is a bit complex as the molar mass is 61.98g mol–1. A single oxygen atom makes up the oxidization, and it has a couple of ionic bonds with two sodium atoms. The structure of the molecule seems like an antifluorite crystal, and thus, the Na atoms coordinate 4 O2 atoms. 

Health & Safety Information For Sodium Oxide

Signal word

Danger

Hazard Statement

H271-H314

Hazard Codes

O, C

Risk Codes

8-14-35


Preparation of Sodium Oxide

Sodium Oxide is produced with the reaction of sodium hydroxide and metallic sodium. It can also be formed from sodium peroxide or sodium nitrate. However, this reaction will produce hydrogen along with sodium oxide. The chemical formula is:

  • 2NaOH + 2Na > 2Na2O + H2

Sodium oxide can also be formed from thermal decomposition of sodium carbonate at 850°C. This produces carbon dioxide along with sodium oxide. The chemical formula is:

  • Na2CO3 > Na2O + CO2

Chemical Properties of Sodium Oxide

Sodium Oxide produces Sodium Hydroxide when it reacts with water. This reaction is violent due to highly exothermic abilities. This is the reason; it is suggested to keep sodium oxide out of the reach of the water. The chemical formula is:

Na2O + H2O > 2NaOH

The alkali oxides M2O (M = Na, Li, Rb) helps in crystallizing that antifluorite structure. Therefore, the position of the cations and anions gets reversed relatively when compared with the position of CaF2. This happens due to sodium ions that coordinate tetrahedrally with 4 iron oxides and cubical oxides that coordinate with 8 NA (sodium) ions.

Compounds are very common in Chemistry. They are simple molecules which are made up of two or more elements. By simply looking at the name or the chemical , one can find out about the elements included in the compound. One of the examples here is 

Sodium Oxide 

The name here suggests that Sodium Oxide is a source of Sodium which is highly insoluble and thermally stable. Used for optic, glass, and ceramic applications.  There are certain perovskite structures of oxides which are electronically conductive., and it is for this reason that it finds its application in the cathode of oxidized solid fuel cells and in the generation system of oxygen. The compounds that are oxidized are known to be conductive to electricity. Sodium Oxide is a form of a compound which contains at least one O2 anion and one metallic cation.

Na2O Structure

The Na2O structure is a little complex as the molar mass is 61.98g mol–1. A single oxygen atom makes up the oxidization, and it has a couple of ionic bonds with two sodium atoms. The structure of the molecule is like an antifluorite crystal, and hence, the Na atoms coordinate 4 O2 atoms.

Health & Safety Information For Sodium Oxide : Signal word is Danger; Hazard Statement is H271-H314; Hazard Codes O, C and the Risk Codes are 8-14-35.

Chemical properties of Sodium Oxide

Sodium Oxide produces Sodium Hydroxide when it reacts with water and this reaction is violent because of the highly exothermic abilities. It is suggested that  sodium oxide should be  out of the reach of the water.

The chemical formula is: Na2O + H2O > 2NaOH . The alkali oxides M2O (M = Na, Li, Rb) helps in crystallizing that antifluorite structure. Thus, the position of the cations and the anions get reversed relatively when it is compared with the position of CaF2. This happens because of  sodium ions which coordinate tetrahedrally with 4 ion oxides and cubical oxides that coordinate with 8 NA (sodium) ions.

FAQs on Sodium Oxide

1. What is the Formula of Sodium Oxide and what happens when hydrogen reacts with Sodium Chloride?

The chemical formula of Sodium Oxide is denoted as  Na2O and it is also known as disodium oxide. Sodium Oxide is an inorganic compound which is used for manufacturing glasses and ceramics.


When Hydrogen reacts with Sodium Chloride, the Sodium Oxide absorbs the hydrogen in order to create sodium hydride and NaOH, or sodium hydroxide. They have the power to find the application so as to reverse hydrogen storage.

2. How is Sodium Oxide useful for normal applications?

Sodium Oxide stays insoluble in water or in other aqueous solutions, which makes it extremely stable for making certain ceramic structures, clay bowls, light-weight structural components in the industry of aerospace, and in  advanced electronics. Sodium Oxide is also used for making fuel cells because of the properties of ionic conductivity. The compounds are basic anhydrides, and therefore, they react well with acids. Sodium Oxides are available in pieces, pellets, tablets, and nanopowder.

3. What happens when hydrogen reacts with sodium oxide?

Sodium Oxide absorbs hydrogen to create sodium hydride and NaOH or sodium hydroxide. They have the power to find the application to reverse hydrogen storage.

4. Is Sodium Oxide known to be toxic?

Sodium Oxide is produced with the reaction of sodium hydroxide and metallic sodium.  The sodium oxide is a substance which is corrosive to the eyes, to the respiratory tracts, and to skin. Inhalation of the substance is known to cause lung oedema. Sodium Oxide can be corrosive when it is ingested. Artificial respiration is important if Sodium Oxide gets ingested and should seek immediate medical attention.

5. Mention the related chemical compounds of Sodium Oxide?

Sodium oxide is produced when it is reacted with sodium, sodium nitrite, sodium hydroxide, and with sodium peroxide. The compounds are basic anhydrides, and hence, they are known to react well with acids. The related compounds Of Sodium Chloride are phosphorus pentachloride, Sodium bicarbonate, Sodium Iodine, and others.

6. Where are study notes available?

Chemistry is an important subject,and it is also necessary to be able to practice some of the important questions and sample essays. The online portal, Vedantu.com offers important questions along with answers and other very helpful study material on ‘Sodium Oxide’ which have been formulated in a  well structured, well researched, and easy to understand manner. These study materials and solutions are all important and are very easily accessible from Vedantu.com and can be downloaded for free.