Sodium citrate
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| Sodium citrate | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Systematic name | trisodium 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate |
| Other names | citrosodine; trisodium citrate; citric acid, trisodium salt |
| Molecular formula | Na3C6H5O7 |
| SMILES | [Na+].[Na+].[Na+]. O=C([O-])CC(O)(CC(=O)[O-])C([O-])=O |
| Molar mass | 258.07 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| CAS number | [68-04-2] (anhydrous); [6132-04-3] (dihydrate) |
| Properties | |
| Density and phase | ~ 1.7 g/cm³ solid |
| Solubility in water | 72 g/100 ml |
| Melting point | 150 °C |
| Boiling point | Decomposes |
| Acidity (pKa) | ? |
| Basicity (pKb) | ? |
| Structure | |
| Crystal structure | ? |
| Dipole moment | ? D |
| Hazards | |
| MSDS | External MSDS |
| Main hazards | Irritant |
| NFPA 704 | |
| Flash point | ?°C |
| R/S statement | R: ? S: ? |
| RTECS number | ? |
| Supplementary data page | |
| Structure and properties |
n, εr, etc. |
| Thermodynamic data |
Phase behaviour Solid, liquid, gas |
| Spectral data | UV, IR, NMR, MS |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds | calcium citrate, citric acid |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references |
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Sodium citrate is the sodium salt of citric acid with the chemical formula of Na3C6H5O7. Sodium citrate possesses a saline, mildly tart, flavor. For this reason, citrates of certain Alkaline and Alkaline Earth metals (e.g. sodium and calcium citrates) are commonly known as sour salt (occasionally citric acid is erroneously termed sour salt). Sodium citrate is chiefly used as a food additive, usually for flavor or as a preservative. Sodium citrate is employed as a flavoring agent in certain varieties of club soda. Sodium citrate is common in lemon-lime soft drinks, and it is partly what causes them to have their sour taste.
In 1914, the Belgian doctor Albert Hustin and the Argentine physician and researcher Luis Agote successfully used sodium citrate as an anticoagulant in blood transfusions. It continues to be used today in blood collection tubes and for the preservation of blood in blood banks. The citrate ion chelates calcium ions in the blood, disrupting the blood clotting mechanism.
As a conjugate base of a weak acid, citrate can perform as a buffering agent, resisting changes in pH. Sodium citrate is used to control acidity in some substances, such as gelatin desserts. It can be found in the mini milk containers used with coffee machines. The compound is the product of antacids such as Alka-Seltzer when they are dissolved in water.
Research from the British Journal of Sports Medicine (2003) showed that use of sodium citrate (approx. 37 grams) improved running performance over 5 km by 30 seconds. [1]
Sodium citrate is used to relieve discomfort in urinary tract infections such as cystitis, to reduce the acidosis seen in distal renal tubular acidosis, and can also be used as an osmotic laxative.
- ^ Oopik, V et al 2003; 37: 485-489