SODIUM MERCURY AMALGAM Property

Melting point:

61 °C

form 

beads

Safety

Hazard Codes 

F,T

Risk Statements 

11-14/15-23/24/25-33-34-42/43

Safety Statements 

16-26-36/37/39-45

RIDADR 

UN 3401 4.3/PG 1

WGK Germany 

3

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

SODIUM MERCURY AMALGAM Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Chemical Properties

Sodium mercury amalgams containing less than 3% Na are not too sensitive to air; however they must be stored in an air-free atmosphere. Complete liquefaction occurs at the following (liquidus) temperatures: 0.5% Na, O°Cj 1.0% Na, 50°C; 1.5% Na, 100°C; 2.0% Na, 130°C; 2.5% Na, 156°C; 3% Na, 250°C; 4.0% Na, 320°C.

Preparation

Clean sodium metal (11.5 g.) is cut into 5-mm. cubes. The cubes a r e speared with a pointed glass rod and rapidly introduced below the surface of warm (30-40°C) pure mercury (1150 g. = 85 ml.) contained in a 500-ml. wide-neck Erlenmeyer flask. The flask is covered with cardboard to prevent spattering during the rather vigorous amalgam formation reaction.