Should Sodium Methoxide be specified as solid or as a methanol solution?

Specify whether you need solid material or a methanol solution, and state its NaOMe content in wt%. Compare quantities on the same active NaOMe basis; equal supplied weights are not equivalent. Solution grade also introduces methanol, which must suit the process feed and solvent balance.

Why are water and sodium carbonate important in Sodium Methoxide specifications?

Moisture consumes methoxide, while exposure to air can introduce hydroxide and carbonate impurities. Total alkalinity can include these alkaline species and is not the same as net NaOMe content. Specify active content, water and impurity limits separately. Acid-base titration is used for assay; its reporting basis and corrections for other alkaline species must be stated.

Can Sodium Methoxide be replaced directly by sodium hydroxide or potassium methoxide?

No. Sodium hydroxide is a hydroxide, while sodium and potassium methoxide are alkoxides. Their cations, molar masses, solvent systems and process effects differ. Recalculate the active molar charge and evaluate reaction selectivity and work-up before substitution; equal supplied weights are not equivalent.

Sodium Methoxide (NaOMe) CAS 124-41-4

Sodium methoxide (NaOMe, CAS 124-41-4), also known as sodium methylate or sodium methanolate, is supplied as solid material or a methanol solution for biodiesel transesterification and organic synthesis. COA, TDS and SDS are available for the supplied grade. Contact us with your application or target specification, quantity and destination for a quotation.

CAS: 124-41-4
Synonyms: Sodium methoxide; sodium methylate; sodium methanolate; NaOMe
Einecs: 204-699-5
Molecular Formula: CH3ONa
Grade: Solid sodium methoxide or methanol solution; NaOMe content and impurity limits specified for the selected grade
Package: We specify sodium methoxide packaging in our quotation according to the supplied form, concentration, quantity and destination.

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Product Description

Product Overview

Sodium methoxide is a strong alkoxide base used as a catalyst, reagent and chemical intermediate. Solid and methanol-solution grades differ in active content and solvent contribution; comparing them on an active NaOMe basis helps determine the required quantity for a process.

Basic Information

Parameter	Details
Chemical Name	Sodium Methoxide
CAS Number	124-41-4
Synonyms	Methanol, sodium salt; Sodium methylate
Molecular Formula	CH₃ONa
Molecular Weight	54.02 g/mol
EINECS Number	204-699-5
Appearance	White to off-white solid, or a clear methanol solution depending on the supplied form and concentration
Purity	NaOMe content (wt%) and total alkalinity are separate specifications. Methanol, water, sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate content help define the sodium methoxide grade and impurity profile; the analytical method is stated with each result.
Thermal Behavior	Solid: thermal decomposition rather than a defined melting point. Methanol solutions: crystallization behavior depends on concentration.
Boiling Point	Solid sodium methoxide decomposes before boiling. The boiling behavior of methanol solutions depends on composition and pressure; we provide the SDS for the supplied grade.
Density	Sodium methoxide density depends on form, concentration and temperature. We provide the TDS for the supplied grade with the relevant measurement conditions.
Solubility	Soluble in methanol, ethanol; reacts with water
Storage Conditions	Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place; protect from moisture
Packaging	We specify sodium methoxide packaging in our quotation according to the supplied form, concentration, quantity and destination.
Grade	Solid sodium methoxide or methanol solution; NaOMe content and impurity limits specified for the selected grade

Key Properties

Strong base and nucleophile
Highly reactive with water and air (moisture-sensitive)
Effective transesterification catalyst

Applications

Sodium Methoxide is widely used in:

Biodiesel Production
- Catalyzes transesterification of triglycerides with methanol to produce fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel). Control feedstock water and free fatty acids to limit soap formation and excess catalyst consumption.
Pharmaceutical Industry
- Used as a reagent or base in pharmaceutical and fine-chemical synthesis when the required grade and impurity profile are confirmed.
Agrochemicals
- Involved in the production of herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides
Organic Synthesis
- Used for deprotonation, condensation, and alkylation reactions
Polymer & Fine Chemicals Manufacturing
- Used as a catalyst in the production of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA/PVOH) by methanolysis of polyvinyl acetate, and in selected polyester depolymerization processes.

For base selection, compare sodium tert-butoxide and potassium tert-butoxide with methoxide for steric effects, solvent compatibility and reaction selectivity. Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) is a hydroxide rather than an alkoxide; it is not an equal-weight replacement.

Safety & Handling

Reacts violently with water and moisture, releasing methanol and heat
Exclude moisture and air during handling. Solid material can self-heat; methanol solutions also present flammability and methanol toxicity hazards. Follow the grade-specific SDS and keep away from ignition sources.
Use proper PPE: gloves, goggles, and protective clothing
Refer to the supplied SDS before handling

FAQ - Technical & Supply Chain

Q:
Should Sodium Methoxide be specified as solid or as a methanol solution?

A: Specify whether you need solid material or a methanol solution, and state its NaOMe content in wt%. Compare quantities on the same active NaOMe basis; equal supplied weights are not equivalent. Solution grade also introduces methanol, which must suit the process feed and solvent balance.
Q:
Why are water and sodium carbonate important in Sodium Methoxide specifications?

A: Moisture consumes methoxide, while exposure to air can introduce hydroxide and carbonate impurities. Total alkalinity can include these alkaline species and is not the same as net NaOMe content. Specify active content, water and impurity limits separately. Acid-base titration is used for assay; its reporting basis and corrections for other alkaline species must be stated.
Q:
Can Sodium Methoxide be replaced directly by sodium hydroxide or potassium methoxide?

A: No. Sodium hydroxide is a hydroxide, while sodium and potassium methoxide are alkoxides. Their cations, molar masses, solvent systems and process effects differ. Recalculate the active molar charge and evaluate reaction selectivity and work-up before substitution; equal supplied weights are not equivalent.

Ordering & Documentation

Key information for document requests, quotations, and supply planning.

Documents

Tell us which documents your procurement team needs. Before an order, we will check whether the quoted source can provide them for the offered lot.

Quotation

Send the CAS number, grade, quantity, packing preference and destination.

Sample & Supply

Ask whether samples, trial quantities or repeat orders are possible. We will check each request against the sourced product and current offer.

Storage & Shipping

Product-specific conditions are confirmed before order.

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