Difference between revisions of "Sodium orotate"

Latest revision as of 16:45, 7 September 2021

Sodium orotate, NaC₅H₃N₂O₄, is the sodium salt of orotic acid, a metabolic intermediate and chelating agent for certain cations. It is of particular interest as a salt of sodium with a very low solubility in water.

Properties

Chemical

Sodium orotate decomposes at high temperatures.

Physical

Sodium orotate is a white solid, poorly soluble in water.

Availability

Sodium orolate is sold by chemical suppliers.

Preparation

While sodium orotate is not generally available itself OTC, other salts of orotic acid are available as nutritional supplements, particularly magnesium orotate. With the exception of the equally insoluble potassium orotate, these salts will react with sodium chloride in water to precipitate sodium orotate.

Alternatively, it can be prepared by mixing hot aq. solutions of orotic acid and sodium carbonate.

Projects

• Make orotic acid

Handling

Safety

Sodium orotate is generally inert and not expected to pose health or environmental hazards in reasonable quantities.

Storage

Should be kept in closed plastic or glass bottles.

Disposal

Due to its low solubility and high sodium content mean that it should not flow down a drain or be allowed to mix with soil, as excess sodium is harmful to plants. However, unless one disposes of very large amounts of this compound, this isn't always a problem.

References

• Gravimetric determination of sodium and potassium with N,N-dialkylethanolammonium orotates

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

• Ways to precipitate sodium ions?