Sodium Acetate Trihydrate
Sodium Acetate Trihydrate is a white crystalline solid that is the hydrated form of sodium acetate. It is highly soluble in water and has a mildly alkaline pH in solution. Widely used in chemical, pharmaceutical, food, and textile industries, sodium acetate trihydrate serves as a buffering agent, pH regulator, and preservative. Its ability to stabilize pH and act as a neutralizing agent makes it valuable in various industrial and laboratory applications. Additionally, it is used for heat packs due to its exothermic crystallization properties.
Sodium Acetate Trihydrate
Primary Uses
- Food Industry
- Acts as a food additive (E262) used as a flavoring agent and preservative in snack foods, condiments, and pickled products.
- Serves as an acidity regulator to maintain pH stability in processed foods and beverages.
- Pharmaceuticals
- Used as a buffering agent in pharmaceutical formulations to stabilize pH.
- Employed in oral rehydration solutions and intravenous fluids as a sodium source and pH balancer.
- Chemical Industry
- Functions as a buffering agent in chemical processes and analytical laboratories.
- Used as a neutralizing agent in textile dyeing and printing to control pH during processing.
- Heating Pads and Hand Warmers
- Utilized in reusable heat packs and hand warmers due to its exothermic crystallization from supersaturated solutions.
- Laboratory and Analytical Applications
- Used as a buffer in electrophoresis, chromatography, and various biochemical assays.
Secondary Uses
- Leather Industry
- Employed in tanning processes to adjust pH and improve product quality.
- Concrete Sealing and Corrosion Control
- Used in certain concrete admixtures to improve curing and prevent corrosion.
- Textile Industry
- Applied in printing pastes and finishing to maintain alkaline conditions.
- Cosmetics
- Occasionally used in cosmetic formulations as a pH adjuster and buffering agent.
1. Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): Sodium acetate trihydrate
- Common/Trade Name: Sodium Acetate Trihydrate
- CAS Number: 6131-90-4
- HS Code: 29152900
- Synonyms: Acetic acid sodium salt trihydrate, Sodium ethanoate trihydrate
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Crystalline solid
- Color & Odor: White crystals; slight vinegar-like odor possible
- Melting Point: Approx. 58°C (dehydrates)
- Solubility: Highly soluble in water (~76 g/100 mL at 20°C)
- pH (1% aqueous solution): 8.5–9.0 (alkaline)
- Density: Approx. 1.45 g/cm³
3. Safety & Hazard Attributes
- GHS Classification: Generally regarded as non-hazardous; may cause mild skin or eye irritation
- Toxicity: Low toxicity; ingestion in large quantities may cause gastrointestinal upset
- Exposure Limits: No specific occupational exposure limits; follow general safety practices
4. Storage & Handling Attributes
- Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from moisture and incompatible materials
- Container Type: Supplied in sealed polyethylene or kraft paper bags
- Shelf Life: Stable for 2–3 years if stored properly
- Handling Precautions: Avoid dust generation; use gloves and eye protection when handling powder
5. Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- Complies with food-grade standards where applicable (FCC)
- Meets pharmaceutical and chemical industry purity requirements
- Complies with relevant environmental and safety regulations (REACH, OSHA)
6. Environmental & Health Impact
- Biodegradability: Readily biodegradable and environmentally benign
- Ecotoxicity: Low toxicity to aquatic organisms at typical use concentrations
- Bioaccumulation: Not significant
Safety Handling Precautions
- PPE Required: Gloves, goggles, and dust mask recommended when handling powder
- Handling Guidelines: Use in well-ventilated areas; avoid inhaling dust and direct contact with eyes and skin
- Storage Measures: Keep containers tightly closed and stored in a dry environment
First Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Move to fresh air; seek medical attention if breathing difficulties occur
- Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water; seek medical advice if irritation develops
- Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical attention if irritation persists
- Ingestion: Rinse mouth; do not induce vomiting; seek medical help if large amounts ingested
Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazards: Non-flammable and non-combustible
- Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry chemical, or CO₂ for surrounding fires
- Special Precautions: Wear protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus if exposure to decomposition products occurs
- Hazardous Combustion Products: May emit sodium oxides and acetic acid vapors on decomposition
Related products
Benzoic Acid
Benzoic Acid is a white crystalline solid with a faint, pleasant odor, classified as a simple aromatic carboxylic acid. It is widely used as a food preservative, antimicrobial agent, and chemical intermediate. Naturally occurring in many plants, it is commercially produced through oxidation of toluene or extraction from natural sources. Benzoic acid is valued for its ability to inhibit the growth of mold, yeast, and certain bacteria, making it essential in food preservation and cosmetic formulations. It also serves as a precursor in the manufacture of various pharmaceuticals, dyes, and plasticizers.
Citric Acid Monohydrate
Citric Acid Monohydrate is a white, crystalline powder or granule form of citric acid containing one molecule of water per molecule of acid. It is a natural organic acid commonly derived from citrus fruits or produced by fermentation processes. Citric Acid Monohydrate is widely used as an acidulant, preservative, and chelating agent in various industries. Compared to the anhydrous form, it has a slightly lower acid concentration due to the water molecule but offers excellent solubility and stability. It is prized for its sour flavor, buffering capacity, and ability to bind metal ions, making it indispensable in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial applications.
Formic Acid
Formic Acid (methanoic acid) is the simplest carboxylic acid, typically supplied as an 85% aqueous solution. It is a colorless liquid with a pungent, penetrating odor and strong acidic properties. Formic Acid naturally occurs in insect stings and plant secretions and is widely used in chemical synthesis, agriculture, textile, leather, and rubber industries. The 85% solution balances potency and safe handling for industrial applications. It serves as a preservative, antibacterial agent, and intermediate chemical in numerous manufacturing processes.
Fumaric Acid
Fumaric Acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid characterized by its white crystalline powder form and a slightly acidic taste. It is an unsaturated organic acid with the chemical formula C4H4O4 and is an intermediate in the Krebs cycle in biological systems. Fumaric Acid is commonly found in various plants and fungi and is commercially produced by isomerization of maleic acid or by fermentation. It is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, chemical, and polymer industries due to its acidulant, antioxidant, and crosslinking properties.
Glacial Acetic Acid Food Grade
Glacial Acetic Acid Food Grade is a clear, colorless liquid organic compound with a pungent vinegar-like odor. It is a high-purity form of acetic acid specifically produced and processed for safe use in food applications. As the main component of vinegar (after dilution), it serves as a critical flavoring agent, pH adjuster, and preservative in the food industry. Food-grade acetic acid typically has a concentration of 80-100% (glacial acetic acid) or is diluted to lower concentrations (4-20%) for specific applications.
Hydrochloric Acid (HCL)
Hydrochloric Acid is a clear, colorless to slightly yellow aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride gas. It is a strong, highly corrosive mineral acid with a sharp, pungent odor. The chemical formula is HCl with a molecular weight of 36.46 g/mol. Hydrochloric Acid is completely miscible with water and many organic solvents. It is non-flammable but extremely corrosive to metals and human tissue. Technical grade Hydrochloric Acid is manufactured for industrial applications including chemical manufacturing, steel pickling, oil well acidizing, water treatment, and pH adjustment. It is available in various concentrations, typically ranging from 30% to 38% by weight.
Lactic Acid
Lactic Acid is a colorless to pale yellow, viscous liquid with a mild acidic odor. It is an organic acid naturally produced by fermentation and widely used in industrial, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food applications. The 80% concentration provides a balance of potency and ease of handling, making it suitable for pH adjustment, preservation, and chemical synthesis. Lactic acid is biodegradable, non-toxic, and valued for its multifunctionality including antimicrobial properties and chelation abilities.

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