Chemical database: Sodium acetate

Sodium acetate is the sodium salt of acetic acid, and usually comes in form of small white crystals. The mentioned values refer to the anhydrous form of this compound. Large amounts of sodium acetate are used in the food and textile industries. It is also used in the production of synthetic rubber. Sodium acetate, in its trihydrate form, is used in various types of heating pads. A large amount of this compound is produced as a by-product in various processes in the chemical industry.

Probably the fastest and simplest way of obtaining sodium acetate, is to synthesize it by reacting a solution of acetic acid with sodium carbonate, bicarbonate or hydroxide. In case one needs sodium acetate of higher purity, it can be ordered from companies that sell chemicals to the food industry, and other industries in which this compounds is known to be used.