Characteristics and preparation method of sodium citrate

Publish Time: 2022-10-25     Origin: Site

Sodium citrate is an organic compound in the form of colorless rhomboidal crystals, stable in air, soluble in water, and glycerol, slightly soluble in ethanol. The aqueous solution of sodium citrate is slightly alkaline and has a refreshing sensation when tasted. When heated to 100°C, it becomes a dihydrate salt. Commonly used as a buffer, complexing agent, bacterial culture medium, in medicine for diuretic, expectorant, sweating, to prevent blood coagulation, and used in food, beverage, electroplating, photography, and other aspects.



The following is a list of contents:

·Features of sodium citrate

·Sodium citrate preparation method



Features of sodium citrate

First of all, sodium citrate is safe and non-toxic, as the raw material used to prepare it is derived from food, it is safe and reliable and poses no risk to human health. There are no restrictions on its daily intake by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization, and it is considered to be drug-free.


Secondly, sodium citrate is biodegradable. Sodium citrate is diluted by nature in large quantities of water and then partially turned into citric acid, both co-existing in the same system. Sodium citrate is readily biodegradable in water by the action of oxygen, heat, light, bacteria, and microorganisms.


Thirdly, sodium citrate can complex metal ions such as Ca2+, Mg2+, and other metal ions such as Fe2+ ions. In addition to this, sodium citrate has excellent solubility properties, and solubility increases with increasing water temperature and has good pH adjustment and buffering properties. Sodium citrate is a weak acid and strong alkali salt, which, when combined with citric acid, can form a strong pH buffer and is therefore useful in situations where a wide range of pH changes are not appropriate. In addition, sodium citrate also has excellent retarding and stabilizing properties.



Sodium citrate preparation method

The first method of preparing sodium citrate was the citric acid + sodium hydroxide method. This was also the first process developed. Citric acid is dissolved in water, and added to sodium hydroxide solution, a neutralization reaction occurs and a large amount of heat is generated. This method of preparing sodium citrate is simple and has good purity.


The second method of sodium citrate preparation is citric acid + soda ash. Soda ash as raw material is easy to procure and well preserved and has the advantage of low production costs; it is a common production method used by various industrial enterprises.

The third method for the preparation of sodium citrate is citric acid and baking soda. This method is an improved method for the preparation of soda ash products that are not suitable for the pharmaceutical industry. High-quality baking soda is used, dissolved in water in calculated amounts, and then neutralized with citric acid, which is concentrated and crystallized to produce pharmaceutical-grade sodium citrate. This method is characterized by mild reaction conditions, good product quality, and good process operability, and is mainly used in some pharmaceutical plants.



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