How Is Sodium Oxide Prepared? Methods, Reactions & Industrial Applications
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.
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.
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: Key Concepts, Properties & Uses
1. What is the chemical formula and molar mass of Sodium Oxide?
The chemical formula for Sodium Oxide is Na₂O. It is an inorganic compound also known as disodium oxide. Its molar mass is calculated by adding the atomic masses of its constituent atoms: (2 × 22.99 u for Sodium) + (1 × 16.00 u for Oxygen), which equals approximately 61.98 g/mol.
2. What are the key physical and chemical properties of Sodium Oxide?
Sodium Oxide exhibits several distinct properties:
Physical Properties: It is a white, crystalline solid at room temperature and is highly stable.
Chemical Properties: As a metal oxide, it is a strong basic anhydride. It reacts vigorously and exothermically with water to form sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and neutralises acids to form salt and water.
Solubility: It is reactive with water but is generally considered insoluble in most organic solvents.
3. Why is Sodium Oxide classified as a basic oxide?
Sodium Oxide is classified as a basic oxide because it is an oxide of an alkali metal, which is highly electropositive. When Na₂O reacts with water, it forms Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH), which is a strong base. The chemical equation for this reaction is Na₂O + H₂O → 2NaOH. This ability to produce a base upon dissolution in water is the defining characteristic of a basic oxide.
4. How is Sodium Oxide used in the manufacturing of glass and ceramics?
In manufacturing, Sodium Oxide plays a crucial role as a flux. It is a key component of soda-lime glass, which is the most common type of glass. Its primary functions are:
It lowers the melting temperature of silica (sand), the main ingredient of glass, making it easier and more economical to produce.
In ceramics, it helps to create a durable glaze and ensures the stability of the ceramic structure.
5. How does Sodium Oxide react with an acid like Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)?
Being a basic oxide, Sodium Oxide readily undergoes a neutralisation reaction with acids. When it reacts with Hydrochloric Acid (HCl), it forms Sodium Chloride (NaCl) and water (H₂O). The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is: Na₂O + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H₂O. This is a typical example of an acid-base reaction.
6. How can you show the formation of Sodium Oxide using an electron-dot structure?
The formation of Sodium Oxide involves the transfer of electrons, creating an ionic bond. Here is the process:
A sodium atom (Na) has 1 valence electron, while an oxygen atom (O) has 6 valence electrons.
To achieve a stable octet, the oxygen atom needs to gain 2 electrons. Therefore, two sodium atoms each donate their single valence electron to one oxygen atom.
This results in the formation of two positively charged sodium ions (Na⁺) and one doubly negatively charged oxide ion (O²⁻). These oppositely charged ions are held together by strong electrostatic forces, forming the compound Na₂O.
7. What is the main difference between Sodium Oxide (Na₂O) and Sodium Peroxide (Na₂O₂)?
The primary difference lies in the oxidation state of the oxygen atom. In Sodium Oxide (Na₂O), oxygen has an oxidation state of -2, which is typical for an oxide. In Sodium Peroxide (Na₂O₂), the oxygen atoms are present as a peroxide ion (O₂)²⁻, where each oxygen atom has an oxidation state of -1. This structural difference also leads to different chemical reactivities.
8. What safety precautions are necessary when handling Sodium Oxide?
Sodium Oxide is a corrosive substance and requires careful handling. Because it reacts vigorously with water (including moisture on the skin or in the air) to form corrosive sodium hydroxide, direct contact should be avoided. Key precautions include:
Wearing protective gear like gloves, safety goggles, and lab coats.
Handling it in a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent inhalation of its dust.
In case of ingestion or inhalation, immediate medical attention is critical as it can cause severe damage to the respiratory tract and internal organs.
