Sodium Amalgam

Name:
Sodium Amalgam
Detailed information:

M Formula:	NaxHgy
Properties:
A silver-white, porous, crystalline mass containing 2–20% of metallic sodium. Decomposes water.
Derivation:
Mercury is heated to about 200C and sodium, in small pieces, is added slowly. Also formed at one stage of the process for making chlorine and sodium hydroxide by the mercury cell process.
Grade:
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 20%.
Hazard:
Flammable, dangerous fire risk.
Use:
Preparation of hydrogen, reduction of metal halogen compounds and organic compounds, reagent in analytical chemistry.