Sciencemadness Discussion Board

How to separate Na metal from Mg / MgO leftovers

metalresearcher - 11-8-2019 at 08:08

The reaction of NaOH (drain cleaner) with Mg metal powder is very vigorous, so I do it in a metal container.

But afterwards, the leftover contains Na metal, but mixed with Mg and MgO.
I heated it to 200 C (well above Na melting point of 97 C) under oil, but could not separate it.
How can I separate this ?



[Edited on 2019-8-11 by metalresearcher]

Na-metal.jpg - 322kB

icelake - 11-8-2019 at 08:16

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCrFFVVcPUI