Baking soda
Baking soda, scientifically known as sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), is a white crystalline powder that is commonly used in baking and cooking. It is a chemical compound composed of sodium ions and bicarbonate ions. Baking soda is a leavening agent, which means it helps dough rise by producing carbon dioxide gas when it reacts with an acid. This reaction is crucial in baking, as it creates the light, fluffy texture desired in cakes, breads, and other baked goods.
The chemical reaction that occurs when baking soda is combined with an acid is as follows:
[ text{NaHCO}_3 + text{H}^+ rightarrow text{Na}^+ + text{CO}_2 + text{H}_2text{O} ]In this reaction, the bicarbonate ion reacts with hydrogen ions from the acid to produce carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium ions. Common acids used in baking include vinegar (acetic acid), lemon juice (citric acid), yogurt (lactic acid), and cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate).
Beyond its role in baking, baking soda has a wide range of uses in various contexts. In household cleaning, it is valued for its mild abrasive properties and ability to neutralize odors. It can be used to scrub surfaces, remove stains, and deodorize refrigerators, carpets, and drains. Its alkaline nature makes it effective in neutralizing acidic odors and substances.
In personal care, baking soda is often used as a natural deodorant, toothpaste, and exfoliant. Its ability to neutralize acids and absorb moisture makes it an effective ingredient in these products. Additionally, it is sometimes used in bath soaks to soothe skin irritations and relieve itching.
Baking soda also has applications in health and medicine. It can be used as an antacid to relieve heartburn and indigestion by neutralizing stomach acid. However, it should be used with caution and under medical advice, as excessive consumption can lead to imbalances in the body’s pH levels and electrolyte disturbances.
In industrial contexts, baking soda is used in fire extinguishers, particularly those designed for grease and electrical fires, due to its ability to release carbon dioxide and smother flames. It is also used in chemical laboratories as a buffering agent to maintain stable pH levels in solutions.
Overall, baking soda is a versatile and essential compound with numerous applications in everyday life. Its ability to react with acids and its mild abrasive and deodorizing properties make it a valuable tool in cooking, cleaning, personal care, and beyond.
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| Names | |||
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| IUPAC name
sodium hydrogen carbonate
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| Other names
Baking soda, bicarb (colloquial), bicarbonate of soda, nahcolite, natrium hydrogen carbonate, natron
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| Identifiers | |||
3D model (JSmol)
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| 4153970 | |||
| ChEBI | |||
| ChEMBL | |||
| ChemSpider | |||
| DrugBank | |||
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.005.122 | ||
| EC Number |
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| E number | E500(ii) (acidity regulators, ...) | ||
| KEGG | |||
| MeSH | Sodium+bicarbonate | ||
PubChem CID
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| RTECS number |
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| UNII | |||
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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| Properties | |||
| NaHCO 3 
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| Molar mass | 84.006 g·mol−1 | ||
| Appearance | White crystals | ||
| Odor | Odorless | ||
| Density |
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| Melting point | (Decomposes to sodium carbonate starting at 50 °C) | ||
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| Solubility | 0.02 wt% acetone, 2.13 wt% methanol @22 °C., insoluble in ethanol[citation needed] | ||
| log P | −0.82 | ||
| Acidity (pKa) |
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Refractive index (nD)
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nα = 1.377 nβ = 1.501 nγ = 1.583 | ||
| Structure | |||
| Monoclinic | |||
| Thermochemistry | |||
Heat capacity (C)
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87.6 J/mol K | ||
Std molar
entropy (S⦵298) |
101.7 J/mol K | ||
Std enthalpy of
formation (ΔfH⦵298) |
−950.8 kJ/mol | ||
Gibbs free energy (ΔfG⦵)
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−851.0 kJ/mol | ||
| Pharmacology | |||
| B05CB04 (WHO) B05XA02 (WHO), QG04BQ01 (WHO) | |||
| Intravenous, oral | |||
| Hazards | |||
| Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH): | |||
Main hazards
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Causes serious eye irritation | ||
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |||
| Flash point | Incombustible | ||
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |||
LD50 (median dose)
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4220 mg/kg (rat, oral) | ||
| Safety data sheet (SDS) | External MSDS | ||
| Related compounds | |||
Other anions
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Sodium carbonate | ||
Other cations
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Related compounds
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Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Sodium bicarbonate (IUPAC name: sodium hydrogen carbonate), commonly known as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, or saleratus, is a chemical compound with the chemical formula NaHCO3. It is a salt composed of a sodium cation (Na+) and a bicarbonate anion (HCO3−).
Sodium bicarbonate is a white solid that is crystalline but often appears as a fine powder. It has a slightly salty, alkaline taste resembling that of sodium carbonate ("washing soda"). The natural mineral form is nahcolite, although it is more commonly found as a component of the mineral trona.
Sodium bicarbonate has many different names, including as baking soda, bread soda, cooking soda, brewing soda, and bicarbonate of soda. It can often be found near baking powder in grocery aisles.
The term baking soda is most common in the United States, while bicarbonate of soda is more common in Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
The prefix bi- in "bicarbonate" comes from an outdated naming system predating molecular knowledge. It is based on the observation that there is twice as much carbonate (CO32−) per sodium in sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) as there is in sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). The modern chemical formulas of these compounds now express their precise chemical compositions which were unknown when the name bi-carbonate of potash was coined (see also: bicarbonate).