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.
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.
Potassium Iodide USP
Potassium Iodide USP is a high-purity inorganic halogenated salt that meets the strict quality and purity standards of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). It appears as white crystalline granules or powder, is odorless, and has a characteristic saline taste. This pharmaceutical-grade compound is valued for its ability to act as a source of iodide ions, its high solubility in water, and its stability when properly stored. It is slightly hygroscopic and may become yellow upon prolonged exposure to air due to liberation of iodine, with light and moisture accelerating decomposition, requiring careful packaging and storage. Potassium Iodide USP is manufactured under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and is suitable for human pharmaceutical applications, nutritional supplements, and other uses requiring the highest purity standards.
Potassium Metabisulphite Food Grade
Potassium Metabisulphite Food Grade is a white crystalline powder with strong antioxidant and preservative properties. It is widely used in the food and beverage industry as a disinfectant, antioxidant, and preservative to prevent spoilage and microbial growth. It also acts as a bleaching agent and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) source. This compound is critical in winemaking, brewing, and food processing to maintain product quality and extend shelf life.
Propylparaben (Prop BH)
Prop BH, also known as Propylparaben or Propyl 4-Hydroxybenzoate, is an organic compound belonging to the paraben family of preservatives. It appears as colorless small crystals or a white crystalline powder with a characteristic mild odor and a slightly bitter taste. The compound is practically insoluble in cold water but readily soluble in alcohols, ethers, and other organic solvents. Propylparaben is widely recognized for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, particularly effective against molds, yeasts, and bacteria. Propylparaben is manufactured for use as a preservative in various industrial applications and is not intended for direct human consumption without appropriate certification.
Sodium Benzoate
Sodium Benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, appearing as a white, crystalline powder that is highly soluble in water. It is widely used as a preservative due to its antimicrobial properties, especially effective against yeast and bacteria in acidic conditions. Sodium Benzoate is commonly employed in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries to extend shelf life and maintain product quality. It meets food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade purity standards, ensuring safety for consumption and topical use.
Sodium Formate Food Grade
Sodium Formate Food Grade is the sodium salt of formic acid, typically available as a white crystalline powder or granules. It is widely used in various industrial applications due to its properties as a buffering agent, de-icing agent, and reducing agent. Sodium Formate is valued for its effectiveness in textile dyeing, leather tanning, and as a corrosion inhibitor in oil and gas drilling fluids.

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