Molecular weight of sodium lactate
Sodium lactate molecular weight
1. Introduction
Sodium lactate is a chemical substance with the chemical formula C3H5NaO3 and a molecular weight of 112.06 g/mol. It is a salt substance composed of lactic acid and sodium ions. Sodium lactate is soluble in water and can form colorless crystals under certain conditions. It has a wide range of applications in fields such as medicine, food, and cosmetics.
2. Molecular formula and molecular weight
Molecular formula is a concise way of representing the number of atoms of various elements in a compound using element symbols. The molecular formula of sodium lactate is C3H5NaO3, where C represents carbon, H represents hydrogen, Na represents sodium, and O represents oxygen.
Molecular weight refers to the total mass of all atoms in a molecule. The molecular weight of sodium lactate can be obtained by calculating the total atomic mass of each element. The atomic mass of carbon is 12.01 g/mol, the atomic mass of hydrogen is 1.01 g/mol, the atomic mass of sodium is 22.99 g/mol, and the atomic mass of oxygen is 16.00 g/mol. Therefore, the molecular weight of sodium lactate can be calculated as follows:
(3 * carbon atom mass)+(5 * hydrogen atom mass)+sodium atom mass+(3 * oxygen atom mass)=(3 * 12.01 g/mol)+(5 * 1.01 g/mol)+22.99 g/mol+(3 * 16.00 g/mol)=112.06 g/mol
Therefore, the molecular weight of sodium lactate is 112.06 g/mol.
3. Physical properties: Sodium lactate is a colorless crystalline substance that is a solid at room temperature. It is soluble in water and forms a transparent solution in water. The solubility of sodium lactate increases with temperature, meaning that more sodium lactate can be dissolved with increasing temperature.
Sodium lactate has a certain hygroscopicity and is easy to absorb moisture from the air. In humid environments, sodium lactate may become deliquescent and form hydrates. In addition, sodium lactate also has a certain alkalinity and can produce alkaline solutions in water.
4. Chemical properties: Sodium lactate exhibits properties related to its constituent elements in chemical reactions. Due to the presence of alkali metal sodium ions (Na+) and carboxyl groups (- COOH), it can undergo a series of reactions related to these groups.
Sodium lactate can react with acids to produce the corresponding lactate salts. For example, by reacting with hydrochloric acid, lactate and sodium chloride can be obtained. This reaction is often used in chemical laboratories to prepare high-purity lactate salts.
In addition, sodium lactate can also be decomposed into lactic acid and alkali metal ions through hydrolysis reactions. This reaction can also occur in living organisms, as lactic acid is a byproduct of the energy production process in the human body.

5. Application
5.1 Pharmaceutical field
Sodium lactate has a wide range of applications in the pharmaceutical field. Due to its alkaline and buffering properties, it is often used as a buffering agent in drug formulations. Buffer agents can help maintain the pH stability of drug solutions or injections, thereby improving the stability and safety of drugs.
In addition, sodium lactate can also be used as a local analgesic and antibacterial agent. Some creams or gel containing sodium lactate can be used to treat skin wounds, burns and ulcers.
5.2 Food field
Sodium lactate is also widely used in the food industry. It is often used as a sour taste regulator and preservative in food. As a acidity regulator, sodium lactate can increase the acidity of food and improve its taste. As a preservative, sodium lactate can inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold in food, extending the shelf life of food.
5.3 In the field of cosmetics, sodium lactate is also widely used. It is often used as a pH regulator and moisturizer in cosmetics. PH regulators can help maintain the stability and appropriate pH value of cosmetics, thereby improving the effectiveness and safety of products. Moisturizing agents can enhance the moisturizing effect of products on the skin, making the skin more moisturized.
6. Safety: Sodium lactate is a relatively safe chemical substance under normal usage conditions. However, in high concentrations or misuse, it may cause adverse reactions such as eye, skin, or respiratory irritation. Therefore, when using sodium lactate, it is necessary to follow the correct operating methods and avoid contact with high concentration sodium lactate solutions.
In addition, sodium lactate may also react with other chemicals to produce hazardous substances. Therefore, when using sodium lactate, it is necessary to pay attention to its compatibility with other chemicals and avoid unsafe chemical reactions.
Summary: Sodium lactate is a chemical substance with the molecular formula C3H5NaO3 and a molecular weight of 112.06 g/mol. It is a salt substance composed of lactic acid and sodium ions. Sodium lactate has a wide range of applications in the fields of medicine, food, and cosmetics. It has certain hygroscopicity and alkalinity, can dissolve in water, and can form colorless crystals. In chemical reactions, sodium lactate exhibits properties related to its constituent elements, which can react with acids to produce corresponding lactate salts, and can also be decomposed into lactic acid and alkali metal ions through hydrolysis reactions. However, when using sodium lactate, it is important to pay attention to its safety and follow the correct operating procedures.
The above is a detailed introduction to the molecular weight, related properties, and applications of sodium lactate. I hope this information can help you better understand sodium lactate.