Sodium Oxide Formula

Sodium oxide, also known as disodium oxide, is an inorganic compound used in ceramics and glasses manufacturing.

Formula and structure: The sodium oxide chemical formula is Na₂O and the molar mass is 61.98 g mol-1. The oxide is formed by 1 oxygen atom, which has two ionic bonds with two sodium atoms. The molecule has a antifluorite crystal structure, in which Na atoms are coordinated to 4 oxygen atoms while oxygen atoms are coordinated to 8 sodium atoms. Its chemical structure can be written as below, in the common representations used for organic molecules.

Occurrence: Sodium oxide is not found in nature. It is prepared as described below.

Preparation: Sodium oxide is mostly produced through the reaction of sodium hydroxide with metallic sodium. Alternatively, it can be produced using sodium peroxide or sodium nitrate instead of sodium hydroxide. This reaction produces hydrogen as a side product:

2 NaOH + 2 Na → 2 Na₂O + H₂

A second method is the thermal decomposition of sodium carbonate up to 850°C, to produce carbon dioxide and sodium oxide:

Na₂CO₃ → Na₂O + CO₂

Physical properties: Sodium oxide is a white crystalline solid. Its melting and boiling points are 1132 °C and 1132 °C, respectively. Sodium oxide density is 2.27 g mL^-1. It reacts violently with water.

Chemical properties: Sodium oxide is known due to its reaction with water that produces sodium hydroxide. This reaction is highly exothermic and violent and it is also the reason to keep sodium oxide out of water contact:

Na₂O + H₂O → 2 NaOH

Sodium oxide is used in glass manufacturing due to it can react with silicon dioxide (a component of glass) to form silicates that add some features to the material, for example: elasticity.

Na₂O + SiO₂ → Na₂SiO₃

Uses: Sodium oxide is used mainly in the glass and ceramics production. Additionally, it is used in the production of adsorbents and absorbents polymers, in the manufacturing of some intermediates in chemical compounds production. It is also adding during the manufacturing of some petroleum-derivate products.

Health effects / safety hazards: Sodium oxide can cause severe skin and eyes damage. It is corrosive to metals and reacts violently with water.