Sodium, Acetate of. NaC2H3O2. Syn. Acetate of soda; Sodæ acetas (B. P., Ph. D.), L. Prepared from carbonate of sodium as the corresponding potassium salt; but the resulting solution is evaporated to a pellicle, and set aside to crystallise. Its crystals are striated oblique rhombic prisms; it effloresces slightly in the air, and is soluble in 4 parts of water at 60° Fahr. Diuretic.—Dose, 20 to 40 gr.
Sodium, Aluminate. This salt has of late been in extensive demand by the calico printer and dyer. In France it is obtained from banxite, a native hydrate of aluminate, by treatment with caustic or carbonate of soda. If caustic soda be employed, the powdered banxite is boiled with a solution of the alkali, whereas if carbonate of soda be used, it is fused with the banxite in a reverbatory furnace. By the first process the resulting aluminate of soda is dissolved in water, and evaporated to dryness, forms the commercial article. If prepared by ignition, the semifused mass is lixiviated with water, and then evaporated to dryness. Aluminate of soda prepared as above occurs as a white powder, of a greenish-yellow hue, and dry to the touch.
It is equally soluble in both hot and cold water, and readily decomposed by carbonic and acetic acids, bicarbonate and acetate of soda, chloride of ammonia, &c. Dr Wagner states that it is used for the preparation of lake colours, the induration of stone, in the manufacture of artificial stone, and for the saponification of fats in the manufacture of stearin candle manufacture, also in the preparation of an opaque, milky-looking glass, or semi-porcelain.
Aluminate of soda may likewise be procured from cryolite, as described under Alum.
Sodium Arseniates. Syn. Sodæ Arsenias (B. P.). Arsenious acid, 10 oz.; nitrate of soda, 81⁄2 oz.; dried carbonate of soda, 51⁄2 oz.; boiling distilled water, 35 fl. oz. Reduce the dry ingredients separately to fine powder, and mix them thoroughly in a porcelain mortar. Put the mixture into a large clay crucible and cover it with the lid. Expose it to a full red heat till all effervescence has ceased, and complete fusion has taken place. Pour out the fused salt on a clean flagstone, and as soon as it has solidified and while it is still warm put it into the boiling distilled water, stirring diligently. When the salt has dissolved filter the solution through paper, and set it aside to
crystallise. Drain the crystals, and having dried them rapidly on filtering paper, enclose them in a stoppered bottle.
Sodium, Benzoate. Syn. Sodæ benzoas. (B. Cod.) Prep. Heat gently benzoic acid and water, and add caustic soda, q. s. to neutralise the acid. Filter, evaporate, and crystallise over sulphuric acid under a bell-glass.
Sodium, Bisulphate. Syn. Acid sulphate, Sodæ bisulphis. Prep. Dissolve crystallised carbonate of soda in twice its weight of water, and pass sulphurous acid in excess through the solution. Set it aside to crystallise. Its solution is used to preserve subjects.
Sodium, Bromide of. Syn. Sodii bromidum. Prepared as bromide of potassium.
Sodium, Carbonate of. Na2CO3. 10Aq. Syn. Carbonate of soda, Mono-carbonate of soda, Subcarbonate of s.†, Salt of barilla†; Sodæ carbonas (B. P., Ph. L., E., & D.), L. The carbonate of sodium of commerce (Washing soda) was formerly prepared from the ashes of seaweed, and other marine vegetables, in a somewhat similar manner to that by which carbonate of potassium is obtained; but it is now usually obtained from chloride of sodium by the action of heat, sulphuric acid, and carbonaceous matter.