Question

$N{a_2}{C_2}{O_4}$ is the formula of sodium:
A. carbonate
B. formate
C. oxalate
D. acetate

Answer 1

The carbonate salt of sodium is represented by $N{a_2}C{O_3}$ , the formate salt of sodium is represented by $HCOONa$ , the oxalate salt of sodium is represented by $N{a_2}{C_2}{O_4}$ and the acetate salt is represented by $C{H_3}COONa$ .

Complete step by step answer: Sodium oxalate, or disodium oxalate, is the sodium salt of oxalic acid with the formula $N{a_2}{C_2}{O_4}$ . It is a white, crystalline and odorless solid that decomposes above $563K$ . Disodium oxalate can act as a reductant and it may be used as a primary standard for the standardization of potassium permanganate ($KMn{O_4}$ ) solutions. Sodium oxalate can be prepared through the neutralization of oxalic acid with sodium hydroxide ($NaOH$ ) in a $1:2$ acid-to-base molar ratio. Vaporization yields the anhydrous oxalate (no water molecules present) that can be completely dried by heating it at a temperature that ranges between $473K$ and $523K$ . Half-neutralization can be accomplished with sodium hydroxide ($NaOH$ ) in a $1:2$ ratio which produces $NaH{C_2}{O_4}$ . The product is known as monobasic sodium oxalate or sodium bioxalate. Alternatively, it can also be produced by the decomposition of sodium formate by heating it strongly at a temperature greater than $823K$ .
According to the various options, the representation of the corresponding ions is as follows:
- Carbonate: $CO_3^{2 - }$
Sodium salt of carbonate: $N{a_2}C{O_3}$
- Formate: $HCO{O^ - }$
Sodium salt of formate: $HCOONa$
- Oxalate: ${C_2}O_4^{2 - }$
Sodium salt of oxalate: $N{a_2}{C_2}{O_4}$
- Acetate: $C{H_3}CO{O^ - }$
Sodium salt of acetate: $C{H_3}COONa$
Thus, the correct option is C. oxalate.

Note: : Sodium oxalate acts as a toxic substance to humans. It causes burning pain in the mouth, throat and stomach, vomiting that includes blood, headache, drop in blood pressure, muscle cramps and convulsions, shock, coma, heart failure, and possible death.