Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) — often called baking soda — especially relevant for laboratory and chemical work:

Sodium Bicarbonate

Chemical Formula: NaHCO₃

Synonyms: Baking Soda, Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate

Appearance: White crystalline or powdery solid; odourless

Description

Sodium Bicarbonate is a mildly alkaline compound that decomposes when heated or mixed with acids, releasing carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas.
In chemistry and lab work, it’s valued as a buffering agent, neutralizer, and weak base. It helps maintain pH stability and can neutralize acidic residues during chemical reactions or extractions.

Common Laboratory Uses

• Neutralizing acids during work-up of reactions.

• Washing organic layers to remove acidic impurities (e.g., washing with sodium bicarbonate solution).

• Buffering pH in aqueous systems.

• Generating CO₂ in controlled reactions.

• Mild cleaning agent for glassware or neutralizing acid spills.

Example:
In liquid–liquid extraction, a 5–10% sodium bicarbonate solution is used to remove acidic contaminants (like carboxylic acids) from an organic solvent layer.