Sodium Acetate By: Rachel Turnbo Sodium acetate is a chemical commonly known as Hot Ice.

It has many uses quite an interesting background and a pretty complex formula. Throughout this report you will find out just how much sodium acetate affects our daily lives. Sodium acetate has many properties both physical and chemical which include its colorless and odorless appearance. It can be found in both crystal and powder forms and it has a low melting point of anything greater than 324 degrees Celsius. It also has a high boiling point of 881 degrees Celsius, which is extremely close to that of its relative pure sodium at an average of 882 degrees Celsius. This chemical compound is known to be very stable and incompatible with halogens, which include Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine, and Astatine. This compound can be easily created in the home. Later you will be given directions and you can try it for yourself. Its also very moisture sensitive, which leads me into my next topic of safety measures. When handling this compound precautions should always be taken. For one keep Sodium acetate away from heat and sources of ignition. Also wear suitable respiratory equipment when handling this compound. Always keep this away from its incompatibles such as oxidizing agents and acids. When storing this chemical make sure the container is sealed tightly in a cool and well-ventilated area. When done using this chemical make sure to evaporate any residue under a fume hood to avoid any exposure later on. This chemical has been approved to being thrown away in a landfill. Even though this compound has rarely been a safety issue it is always important to be careful and conscious of your surroundings as you handle this substance.

When it comes to the uses of sodium acetate there are quite a few. Because of its exothermic properties it releases heat so sodium acetate is commonly used in heating pads and hand warmers. Another way it is used is industrially in which it neutralizes strong acids. Some uses that are more commonly known to us are its ability to flavor salt and vinegar chips a long with meats and poultrys. Finally there are its medical uses in which it replenishes lost electrolytes just like a Gatorade or Powerade would. Most recently it has been studied quite closely for the use as a pest control but no results have made it clear if its being used outside of the lab. Along with the previous uses of sodium acetate whats believed to be the first of this chemicals use was to prepare leather and was most likely an accident. As stated in the article sodium acetate was probably created when someone mistakenly mixed ashes from a fire with vinegar. Back at that time this vinegar was made from wine that had been left alone for too long. It says its hard to know the exact history of sodium acetate since no data was recorded when it first appeared in our lives. Finally, as we look at the structure of sodium acetate C2H3NaO2 is the formula used. There is an ionic bond which is where the (+) sodium ion is attracted to the (-) acetate molecule. This is so because during ionic bonding opposites attract. Also during an ionic bond electrons transfer to make an element stable. That is shown here by the sodium transferring, or losing electrons makes it positive and by acetate gaining electrons it becomes negative.

Works Cited

(http://www.chemicalbook.com/ProductMSDSDetailCB1230044_EN.htm) (non-internet), (http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/sodium%20acetate), (Pg. 1-2 of notes) (noninternet), (http://sodiumacetate.weebly.com/historical-background.html), (http://www.uwgb.edu/safety/envpolicies/).