Chemical Formula: Na₂C₂O₄
- Na₂: This represents two sodium (Na) ions. Sodium is a metal that typically forms a +1 charge when it becomes an ion. Therefore, two sodium ions have a combined charge of +2.
- C₂O₄: This represents the oxalate ion (C₂O₄²⁻), which consists of two carbon (C) atoms and four oxygen (O) atoms. The oxalate ion carries a 2− charge.
How It Works:
In sodium oxalate (Na₂C₂O₄), the two sodium ions (Na⁺) balance out the 2− charge on the oxalate ion (C₂O₄²⁻). This creates a neutral compound overall, as the positive and negative charges cancel out.
Naming:
- Sodium: This is the name of the metal ion, coming from sodium (Na), a Group 1 alkali metal.
- Oxalate: This is the name of the polyatomic ion (C₂O₄²⁻). Oxalate is a common ion in organic chemistry, derived from oxalic acid (H₂C₂O₄). It has a 2− charge, and is a bidentate ligand in some coordination chemistry contexts.
Properties:
- Sodium oxalate is a white, crystalline solid.
- It’s used in various applications, such as a reducing agent in some chemical processes, a reagent in laboratories, and in certain types of cleansers and treatments.
In Solution:
When Na₂C₂O₄ dissolves in water, it dissociates into its ions:
Na2C2O4(s)→2Na+(aq)+C2O42−(aq)
This dissociation means that the sodium ions and oxalate ions are free to move in the solution, which can affect the solution’s properties, like its conductivity.
Summary:
Sodium oxalate (Na₂C₂O₄) consists of sodium ions and oxalate ions. It is named for the sodium cations (Na⁺) and the oxalate anion (C₂O₄²⁻). It is often encountered in both laboratory and industrial contexts.