Sodium methylate is available in solid or liquid form. Generally, sodium methylate is sold as a 25% to 30% solution in methanol for various applications, including the production of vitamins A1, B1, trimethoprim, sulfadiazine, and analytical agents, among others.
It is also widely used as a catalyst in biodiesel production. Sodium methylate can easily react with oxygen. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid contact of sodium methylate with moisture or water and with air at high temperatures (above 1260C) to prevent its decomposition into sodium hydroxide and methanol.
Sodium methylate is highly soluble in alcohols such as methanol and ethanol, while it is insoluble in toluene and benzene. Sodium methylate finds various applications, particularly as a catalyst in biodiesel production.
