nátriumkarbonát

Nátriumkarbonát, also known as washing soda or soda ash, is a sodium salt of carbonic acid with the chemical formula Na₂CO₃. It is an inorganic compound that typically appears as a white, crystalline solid. Nátriumkarbonát is soluble in water, forming a basic solution.

Historically, nátriumkarbonát was extracted from the ashes of burned plants, hence its common name "soda ash." Today, it is primarily produced industrially through the Solvay process or by mining naturally occurring deposits like trona. The Solvay process involves reacting sodium chloride, ammonia, and carbon dioxide.

Nátriumkarbonát has a wide range of applications. It is a key ingredient in the manufacture of glass, where it acts as a flux, lowering the melting point of silica. It is also used in the production of detergents and soaps, as it helps to soften water and emulsify grease and oil. In the chemical industry, it serves as a precursor for other sodium compounds. Furthermore, it finds use in water treatment, paper manufacturing, and food processing, often as a pH regulator or leavening agent. Its alkaline nature makes it effective for cleaning and degreasing.