Substance profile
Sodium
Sodium is a light, silvery-white metal; body-centered cubic structure; lustrous when freshly cut.
01 · Identification
What Sodium is
Sodium is a light, silvery-white metal; body-centered cubic structure; lustrous when freshly cut. Its molecular formula is Na and its molecular weight is 22.99 g/mol. It boils at 881 °C, melts at 97.8 °C, is practically insoluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H260 | In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH014
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Sodium properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 881.4 °C (1618.5 °F) | HSDB | |
| 882.78 °C (1621 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 880 °C (1616 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Melting point | 97.82 °C (208.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| 97.5 °C (207.5 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 97.4 °C (207.3 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Density | 0.206 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 0.968 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.971 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Insoluble in benzene, kerosene, naphtha | HSDB | |
| Dissolves in liquid ammonia to give blue solution: dissolves in mercury, forming sodium amalgam | HSDB | ||
| Solubility in water: reaction | ICSC | ||
| Vapor pressure | 0.000001388 mmHg | at 127 °C | HSDB |
| 1.2 mmHg | Haz-Map | ||
| Vapor pressure at 20 °C: negligible | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| Autoignition temperature | 121.11 °C (250 °F) | CAMEO | |
| 122.5 °C (252.5 °F) | range, midpoint shown | ICSC | |
| 115 °C (239 °F) | above this value | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | DANGEROUS, WHEN EXPOSED TO MOISTURE IN ANY FORM! KEEP DRY AT ALL TIMES! | HSDB | |
| Critical temperature and pressure | 2236 °C (4056 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Sodium
Storage conditions
Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Separate from water.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
REACTS VIOLENTLY /WITH WATER/, WITH FORMATION OF FLAMMABLE HYDROGEN GAS & CAUSTIC SODA SOLN.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Sodium in the storage compatibility matrix →