Sodium

Sodium: uses

The following uses for sodium are gathered from a number of sources as well as from anecdotal comments. I'd be delighted to receive corrections as well as additional referenced uses (please use the feedback mechanism to add uses).

• sodium metal is used in the preparation of tetraethyl lead, PbEt₄, an important anti-knock reagent in leaded petrol (gasoline) - fortunately being phased out in many countries because of lead pollution problems
• sodium metal is used in the preparation of titanium metal from TiCl₄
• the metal is used in the manufacture of sodamide, sodium cyanide, sodium peroxide, and sodium hydride
• the metal is used in the reduction of organic esters, and in the preparation of organic compounds
• the alloy with potassium, NaK, is an important heat transfer agent and a good chemical reducing agent (as some proportions of Na and K are liquid at room temperature).
• sodium compounds including "common salt" (sodium chloride, NaCl), "soda ash" (sodium carbonate, Na₂CO₃), "baking soda" (sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO₃, "bicarb"), and "caustic soda" (sodium hydroxide, NaOH), are important to the paper, glass, soap, textile, petroleum, chemical, and metal industries
• sodium vapour is used in lamps for street lighting
• table salt - don't use too much!

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