SodiumAluminum

Sodium aluminum refers to compounds containing both sodium and aluminum. One significant example is sodium aluminate, with the chemical formula NaAlO2. This compound is an inorganic salt formed from the reaction of sodium hydroxide with aluminum or aluminum hydroxide. Sodium aluminate is highly soluble in water and exists as a white solid. It is an important intermediate in the production of aluminum metal through the Bayer process, where it is used to purify bauxite ore. It is also employed in water treatment as a flocculant to remove impurities and in the manufacturing of certain types of cement and ceramics.

Another related substance is sodium tetrafluoroaluminate, NaAlF4, also known as sodium cryolite. This compound is structurally similar to natural cryolite and is used as a flux in aluminum smelting. It lowers the melting point of the electrolyte, facilitating the electrolytic reduction of aluminum oxide. While often discussed as a single entity, "sodium aluminum" typically points to these specific chemical compounds rather than a general alloy or element. The chemical behavior of sodium aluminum compounds is dictated by the properties of both sodium, a highly reactive alkali metal, and aluminum, a reactive metal.