Difference between revisions of "Calcium gluconate"

From Sciencemadness Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Projects)
(Safety)
Line 19: Line 19:
 
== Handling ==
 
== Handling ==
 
=== Safety ===
 
=== Safety ===
Calcium gluconate is harmless.
+
Calcium gluconate is harmless. The medical grade salt is even safely edible as a dietary supplement.
 +
 
 
=== Storage ===
 
=== Storage ===
 
Dry calcium gluconate or a solution thereof can be stored in any container under normal conditions.
 
Dry calcium gluconate or a solution thereof can be stored in any container under normal conditions.

Revision as of 11:22, 20 November 2015

Calcium gluconate is a calcium salt of gluconic acid. Among chemists, it is best known as an antidote for hydrofluoric acid exposure.

Properties

Physical

White powder, moderately soluble in cold water, readily soluble in hot water.

Chemical

Heating causes calcium gluconate to decompose, liberating a large amount of carbon. This makes it a good candidate for a "Pharaoh's Serpent" experiment.

Availability and Uses

In some countries, such as the former Soviet bloc, calcium gluconate is available very cheaply in any drugstore in form of tablets or solutions. Tableted calcium gluconate can easily be purified by recrystallization through hot water.

Its main medical use is as a calcium supplement. Chemists use it as an antidote for hydrofluoric acid poisoning, in forms of topical creamy gel or injections.

Projects

  • Pharaoh's Snake
  • Protect yourself while experimenting with hydrofluoric acid

Handling

Safety

Calcium gluconate is harmless. The medical grade salt is even safely edible as a dietary supplement.

Storage

Dry calcium gluconate or a solution thereof can be stored in any container under normal conditions.

Disposal

Calcium gluconate can be disposed of into the ground or drain safely.