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Sodium Nitrite Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

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Sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na. Its atomic number is 11. It belongs to the first group of the periodic table. It is a member of the alkali metal family with lithium and potassium. It is a soft, flammable, silvery-white highly reactive metal. It is an electrolyte that helps keep the water balance in and around your cells in a place. It is essential for normal muscle and nerve function. Nitrogen is a chemical element with the symbol N. Its atomic number is 7. It is a nonmetal and the lightest member of the 15th group of the periodic table. It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless element. Nitrogen is the most abundant element in Earth’s atmosphere. Approximately 78 percent of the atmosphere is nitrogen .it is important to the chemical industry. It is used to make fertilizers, nitric acid, nylon, dyes, and explosives.

Sodium Nitrite 

Sodium Nitrite is an inorganic compound. It is a white to slightly yellowish crystalline powder that is very soluble in water. It is used as a food preservative and antidote to cyanide poisoning. It is similar in name and used to sodium nitrate. Both are preservatives used in processed meats, such as salami, hot dogs, and bacon. Sodium Nitrite is a powerful oxidizing agent which is used as a preservative due to its ability to prevent the bacteria from colonizing the food.

Sodium Nitrite Formula

Sodium Nitrite consists of a sodium cation (Na+) and a nitrite anion (NO2).  To write the formula of Sodium Nitrite, we go to the periodic table Sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na with atomic number 11. Sodium is a metal and the nitrate ion   NO2 is a group of nonmetals. Sodium in group I has a 1+ ionic charge (Na+1) . Nitrite has a 1- charge (NO2) . Sodium Nitrite is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula NaNO2.

Structure Of Sodium Nitrite 

In this structure, an alkali sodium atom is attached to the nitrite anion; according to Lewis structure in this nitrite anion is more stable; in this nitrite anion, a two resonance hybrid structure is possible. Nitrite anion containing atoms possible formal charge, 

 

Preparation Of Sodium Nitrite

There are many ways to produce Sodium Nitrite.

Sodium Nitrite can be obtained by reacting nitrous acid with sodium hydroxide.                                                                              

2 NaOH + N2O3 ⇢ 2 NaNO2 + H2O

The thermal reduction of Sodium Nitrate with calcium sulfite will also yield sodium nitrite.                                                    

NaNO3 + CaSO3 ⇢ NaNO2 + CaSO4 

Another method involves heating sodium nitrate with carbon in the presence of Sodium Hydroxide or Calcium Hydroxide.           

2 NaNO3 + 2 NaOH + C ⇢ 2 NaNO2 + Na2CO3 + H2O

2 NaNO3  + Ca(OH)2 + C ⇢ 2 NaNO2 + CaCO3 + H2O

Physical Properties Of Sodium Nitrite

  • The molecular weight of sodium nitrate is 68.9953 g/mol
  • Its density is 2.17 g/cm3
  • Its boiling point is 115°C
  • Its melting point is 271°C

Chemical Properties Of Sodium Nitrite

  • The chemical formula of sodium nitrite is NaNO2 
  • It is a poor oxidizing agent

Sodium Nitrite will react with sodium chloroacetate in an aqueous solution to give nitromethane.                                              

NaNO2 + ClCH2COONa + H2O ⇢ CH3NO2 + NaCl + NaHCO3 

Harmful Effects Of Sodium Nitrite

  • Sodium Nitrite can affect when inhaled and can be absorbed through the skin.
  • It can cause nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal pain.
  • It can irritate the skin and eyes.
  • It causes headache, fatigue, dizziness, and blue color on the lips and the skin.
  • Inhaling it can irritate the nose and throat.
  • Its exposure to very high levels may cause trouble breathing and even death.

Safety Measures For Sodium Nitrite

Whenever using Sodium Nitrite must follow the following precautions,

  • Read and understand all the safety precautions.
  • Avoid release to the environment.
  • Avoid contact with eyes and skin.
  • Wear protective gloves and safety glasses.
  • Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
  • Do not eat, drink and smoke when using it.
  • Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Uses Of Sodium Nitrite 

  • It is used as a food preservative and antidote to cyanide poisoning.
  • It is a common preservative used in cured meat products.
  • It is used as a human toxin for wild boar control.
  • It is responsible for the desirable red color in meat.

Sample Questions

Question 1: What happens when consuming too much Sodium Nitrite?

Answer: 

Excessive intake of the compound may cause diseases such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma leukemia and esophageal pancreatic bladder and thyroid cancer. It may damage your blood vessels, making your arteries more likely to harden and narrow, leading to heart disease.

Question 2: Can you drink Sodium Nitrite?

Answer: 

It is a toxic substance and, at sufficient dose levels, is toxic in humans. Abstract Sodium nitrite is a powerful oxidizing agent that causes hypotension and limits oxygen transport and delivery in the body through the formation of methemoglobin. It causes cyanosis, hypoxia altered consciousness dysrhythmias, and death.

Question 3: What is the difference between Sodium Nitrite and Sodium Nitrate?

Answer: 

The main difference between these is Sodium Nitrate is a naturally occurring chemical compound created during photosynthesis, while sodium nitrite is synthetically made. Sodium nitrate is a salt used in fertilizers and explosives. Sodium nitrite, on the other hand, is an inorganic compound used as a food preservative. Nitrates are comparatively more stable Nitrites are oxidized to form nitrates.

Question 4: What are the uses of sodium?

Answer: 

It is used in the production of titanium, sodamide, sodium cyanide, sodium peroxide, and sodium hydride. It is used as a heat exchanger in some nuclear reactors and as a reagent in the chemical industry. The human body uses sodium to control blood pressure and blood volume.

Question 5: Is Sodium Nitrite acid or base?

Answer:

It is neither an acid nor a base. It is made from the neutralization reaction of the strong acid, namely Nitric acid, with a strong base, namely Sodium hydroxide 

Question 6: What are the problems with nitrite?

Answer:

The nitrite oxidizes iron in the hemoglobin of red blood cells to form methemoglobin which lacks the oxygen transformation ability of hemoglobin. The transformation of nitrate to nitrite is more likely to occur when the pH level in the digestive tract is high, allowing bacteria levels to rise. Nitrites can change into nitric oxide, dilate your blood vessels, and lower blood.

Question 7: Is Sodium nitrite an oxidizing agent?

Answer:

Sodium Nitrite is an inorganic compound. It is not combustible, but it is a strong oxidizer that enhances the combustion of other substances. It is a powerful oxidizing agent which is used as a preservative due to its ability to prevent the bacteria from colonizing the food.



Last Updated : 19 Dec, 2023
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