NaOD

NaOD, or sodium deuteroxide, is the sodium salt of the deuterated hydroxide ion. It is the deuterated analogue of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), containing the OD− anion in deuterated water (D2O). In practice, NaOD is typically prepared by reacting sodium metal with heavy water: 2 Na + 2 D2O → 2 NaOD + D2. In solution, NaOD behaves as a strong base, with properties similar to NaOH in H2O, but measurements in D2O use the pD scale rather than pH.

Properties and behavior: NaOD in D2O provides deuterated bases for reactions conducted in heavy water. The basicity is comparable to NaOH, though isotopic substitution affects reaction kinetics and proton/deuteron transfer rates. This makes NaOD useful for studies of kinetic isotope effects and mechanistic investigations where deuterium labeling is important. NaOD solutions are typically highly caustic and must be handled with appropriate safety precautions.

Applications: The primary uses of NaOD are in isotopic labeling, mechanistic and kinetic studies conducted in deuterated media, and preparative chemistry where deuterium incorporation is desired. It allows researchers to trace deuterium transfer and to prepare reaction systems that mimic conditions with labeled hydrogen without introducing protium.

Availability and safety: NaOD is less common than NaOH due to the cost and handling considerations of heavy water. It is a corrosive base, and solutions should be handled with standard laboratory protective equipment and disposed of according to chemical waste guidelines.