NaHCO3

NaHCO3, commonly known as sodium bicarbonate, is an inorganic compound with the formula NaHCO3. It is a white, crystalline solid widely used in food preparation, medicine, and industry. It is the sodium salt of carbonic acid and is often called baking soda.

In solution, sodium bicarbonate acts as a weak base and dissolves to yield sodium and bicarbonate ions, creating a mildly alkaline solution (approximately pH 8.3 in 0.1 M). It reacts with acids to release carbon dioxide and water. Upon heating, it decomposes to sodium carbonate, water, and carbon dioxide.

Naturally, sodium bicarbonate occurs as the mineral nahcolite and is found in some evaporite deposits. Industrially, it is produced commercially from sodium carbonate solutions by the addition of carbon dioxide, which precipitates NaHCO3, or via processes related to the Solvay route. It can also be obtained as a byproduct in other chemical operations.

Applications include use as a leavening agent in baking, an over-the-counter antacid for heartburn, a buffering agent in foods and beverages, and a mild cleaning and deodorizing compound. It is also employed in personal care products, laboratory buffering systems, and in some medical treatments to alkalinize urine.

Safety: Sodium bicarbonate has relatively low acute toxicity but can cause gas and abdominal distension if ingested in large amounts. Inhalation of powder may irritate the nose and throat. It should be stored dry, away from acids, and handled with care to avoid vigorous CO2 release.