Difference between revisions of "Sodium methoxide"

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| OtherNames = Methoxysodium<br>Sodium methanolate<br>Sodium methylate
 
| OtherNames = Methoxysodium<br>Sodium methanolate<br>Sodium methylate
 
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| ImageCaption = Freshly prepared sodium methoxide
 
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| Solubility = Reacts
 
| Solubility = Reacts
| SolubleOther = Reacts with [[carboxylic acid]]s, halocarbons<br>Soluble in [[dimethyl sulfoxide|DMSO]], [[ethanol]], lipids, [[methanol]], oils<br>Slightly soluble in [[pentane]]
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| SolubleOther = Reacts with [[carboxylic acid]]s, halocarbons, mineral acids<br>Soluble in [[dimethyl sulfoxide|DMSO]], [[ethanol]], lipids, [[methanol]], oils<br>Slightly soluble in [[pentane]]
 
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:3 CH<sub>3</sub>ONa + CHCl<sub>3</sub> → HC(CH<sub>3</sub>O)<sub>3</sub> + 3 NaCl
 
:3 CH<sub>3</sub>ONa + CHCl<sub>3</sub> → HC(CH<sub>3</sub>O)<sub>3</sub> + 3 NaCl
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If sodium methoxide reacts with an alkyl halide, a methyl containing ether will be formed. This reaction is very useful when making asymmetrical ethers, which are difficult to prepare, such as [[methyl tert-butyl ether]]:
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: CH<sub>3</sub>ONa + (CH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>C-I → (CH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>COCH<sub>3</sub> + NaI
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This reaction is called Williamson ether synthesis.
  
 
Sodium methoxide will react with carboxylic acid to give esters:
 
Sodium methoxide will react with carboxylic acid to give esters:
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==Preparation==
 
==Preparation==
Sodium methoxide can be prepared by reacting metallic [[sodium]] with an excess of anhydrous [[methanol]]. The resulting sodium methoxide can be purified by recrystallizing it from solution.
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Sodium methoxide can be prepared by slowly and carefully adding metallic [[sodium]] to an excess of anhydrous [[methanol]]. The resulting sodium methoxide can be purified by recrystallizing it from solution.
  
 
: CH<sub>3</sub>OH + Na → CH<sub>3</sub>ONa + ½ H<sub>2</sub>
 
: CH<sub>3</sub>OH + Na → CH<sub>3</sub>ONa + ½ H<sub>2</sub>
  
Since this reaction produces [[hydrogen]] and lots of heat, it's best to perform it in an oxygen-less atmosphere, in a well ventilated area.
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Since this reaction produces [[hydrogen]] and lots of heat, it's best to perform it in an ice bath, best in an oxygen-less atmosphere, in a well ventilated area.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUBoi5He3Zc</ref>
  
 
A more safe route involves the reaction of sodium hydroxide with anhydrous methanol, in the presence of a desiccator, such as [[molecular sieve]]s. In a flask, add 200 ml of anhydrous methanol and 40 g of sodium hydroxide and begin stirring until it completely dissolves. After it dissolved, add 100 g of dried 3A molecular sieves. Seal the flask, mark the methanol level and wait a few days. After the level of the methanol no longer decreases, filter the resulting solution and recrystallize the sodium methoxide. If the solution wasn't dried completely, simply change the sieves and repeat.
 
A more safe route involves the reaction of sodium hydroxide with anhydrous methanol, in the presence of a desiccator, such as [[molecular sieve]]s. In a flask, add 200 ml of anhydrous methanol and 40 g of sodium hydroxide and begin stirring until it completely dissolves. After it dissolved, add 100 g of dried 3A molecular sieves. Seal the flask, mark the methanol level and wait a few days. After the level of the methanol no longer decreases, filter the resulting solution and recrystallize the sodium methoxide. If the solution wasn't dried completely, simply change the sieves and repeat.

Revision as of 17:56, 20 January 2019

Sodium methoxide
Sodium methoxide prepared by AllChemystery.jpg
Freshly prepared sodium methoxide
Names
IUPAC name
Sodium methoxide
Other names
Methoxysodium
Sodium methanolate
Sodium methylate
Properties
CH3ONa
Molar mass 54.02 g/mol
Appearance White solid
Odor Odorless
Density 1.3 g/cm3
Melting point 127 °C (261 °F; 400 K)
Boiling point > 300 °C (572 °F; 573 K)
Reacts
Solubility Reacts with carboxylic acids, halocarbons, mineral acids
Soluble in DMSO, ethanol, lipids, methanol, oils
Slightly soluble in pentane
Hazards
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich
Related compounds
Related compounds
Sodium ethoxide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Sodium methoxide is a chemical compound with the formula CH3ONa. It is a dangerously caustic base.

Properties

Chemical

Sodium methoxide hydrolyzes on contact with water, forming sodium hydroxide and methanol. The reaction gives off lots of heat, which may ignite the methanol vapors.

CH3ONa + H2O → NaOH + CH3OH

Reaction with halocarbons will give orthoesters, such as trimethyl orthoformate from chloroform:

3 CH3ONa + CHCl3 → HC(CH3O)3 + 3 NaCl

If sodium methoxide reacts with an alkyl halide, a methyl containing ether will be formed. This reaction is very useful when making asymmetrical ethers, which are difficult to prepare, such as methyl tert-butyl ether:

CH3ONa + (CH3)3C-I → (CH3)3COCH3 + NaI

This reaction is called Williamson ether synthesis.

Sodium methoxide will react with carboxylic acid to give esters:

CH3ONa + CH3COOH → NaOH + CH3COO-CH3

Physical

Sodium methoxide is a colorless solid, which hydrolyzes in contact with water, but is soluble in alcohols.

Availability

Sodium hydroxide can be purchased online from suppliers, but due to its hazards it's relative difficult to get hold of.

Preparation

Sodium methoxide can be prepared by slowly and carefully adding metallic sodium to an excess of anhydrous methanol. The resulting sodium methoxide can be purified by recrystallizing it from solution.

CH3OH + Na → CH3ONa + ½ H2

Since this reaction produces hydrogen and lots of heat, it's best to perform it in an ice bath, best in an oxygen-less atmosphere, in a well ventilated area.[1]

A more safe route involves the reaction of sodium hydroxide with anhydrous methanol, in the presence of a desiccator, such as molecular sieves. In a flask, add 200 ml of anhydrous methanol and 40 g of sodium hydroxide and begin stirring until it completely dissolves. After it dissolved, add 100 g of dried 3A molecular sieves. Seal the flask, mark the methanol level and wait a few days. After the level of the methanol no longer decreases, filter the resulting solution and recrystallize the sodium methoxide. If the solution wasn't dried completely, simply change the sieves and repeat.

Projects

  • Make orthoformate esters
  • Make esters

Handling

Safety

Sodium methoxide is caustic and contact with skin will cause chemical burns. Reaction with water will give methanol and lots of heat, which may ignite the methanol vapors.

Storage

Sodium methoxide should be stored in air-tight containers, or in a desiccator.

Disposal

Sodium methoxide can be neutralized by dissolving it in large amounts of water slowly, then neutralize the resulting sodium hydroxide.

References

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUBoi5He3Zc

Relevant Sciencemadness threads