Sodium Carbonate

Synonyms: Bisodium carbonate; calcined soda; carbonic acid disodium salt; cenzias de soda; crystol carbonate; disodium carbonate; E500; natrii carbonas anhydricus; soda ash; soda calcined.

Description: Sodium carbonate is a white, almost white, or colorless inorganic salt, produced as crystalline powder or granules. It is hygroscopic and odorless with an alkaline taste.

Chemical Name: Sodium carbonate anhydrous 
Sodium carbonate monohydrate 
Sodium carbonate decahydrate

Alkalizing agent; buffering agent.

• Sodium carbonate is used as an alkalizing agent in injectable, ophthalmic, oral, and rectal formulations.

• In effervescent tablets or granules, sodium carbonate is used in combination with an acid, typically citric acid or tartaric acid.

• When the tablets or granules come into contact with water, an acid– base reaction occurs in which carbon dioxide gas is produced and the product disintegrates.

• Raw materials with low moisture contents are required to prevent the early triggering of the effervescent reaction.

• As an alkalizing agent, concentrations of sodium carbonate between 2% and 5% w/w are used in compressed tablet formulations.

• As an effervescent agent, concentrations of sodium carbonate up to 10% w/w can be used.

• Therapeutically, sodium carbonate is also used as an oral antacid

Sodium carbonate decomposes when in contact with acids in the presence of water to produce carbon dioxide and effervescence. It may react violently with aluminum, phosphorous pentoxide, sulfuric acid, fluorine, and lithium.

Sodium carbonate is used in injectable, oral, and rectal pharmaceutical formulations. The pure form of sodium carbonate is mildly toxic by ingestion, moderately toxic by inhalation and SC routes, and very toxic by the IP route. It is irritating to the skin and eyes. Dust and vapors of sodium carbonate may irritate mucous membranes, causing coughing and shortness of breath. It also has experimental reproductive effects

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of the material handled. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of sodium oxide. Eye protection and gloves are recommended. Respiratory protection is also recommended if inhalable dust is present.

Sodium bicarbonate; sodium carbonate decahydrate; sodium carbonate monohydrate.