Sodium ethoxide

Sodium ethoxide (CAS 141-52-6, EC 205-487-5), also known as ethoxysodium or caustic alcohol, is a strong alkoxide base derived from sodium and ethanol. It is available in both powder and liquid form and carries no assigned E-code for direct food use.

In pharmaceutical synthesis, sodium ethoxide acts as a base catalyst to drive Claisen condensations and other nucleophilic reactions, enabling the formation of active pharmaceutical intermediates. In food and biotechnology applications, it functions as a pH buffer and antimicrobial agent by disrupting microbial cell membranes and denaturing proteins at controlled concentrations.

Sodium ethoxide is supplied under REACH registration and is available in technical and pharmaceutical grades, with liquid concentrations typically ranging from 20 to 21 percent in ethanol solution. Procurement teams should confirm compliance with Ph.Eur. or FCC specifications depending on end-use requirements. Standard packaging includes IBC containers and drums for bulk orders.