Of all the alkali metals, sodium has had perhaps the greatest commercial success, owing to its relative ease of manufacture and its important role worldwide in the manufacture of organolead compounds for use as gasoline octane enhancers. The decline of organoleads in North America has greatly affected U.S. production. Other sodium uses exist, but none requiring the massive quantities needed for lead antiknock compounds. Most sodium is made electrolytically. Various electrochemical cells are described. Sodium continues to have an important role in the manufacture of many organic chemicals as a reducing agent. Newer uses include sodium batteries, flue‐gas cleanup, and alloy surface modification.
Of all the alkali metals, sodium has had perhaps the greatest commercial success, owing to its relative ease of manufacture and its important role worldwide in the manufacture of organolead compounds for use as gasoline octane enhancers. The decline of organoleads in North America has greatly affected U.S. production. Other sodium uses exist, but none requiring the massive quantities needed for lead antiknock compounds. Most sodium is made electrolytically. Various electrochemical cells are described. Sodium continues to have an important role in the manufacture of many organic chemicals as a reducing agent.
Equihbrium data are presented for the react,ons of Na + KCN, KC1 -~-NaCN, and KOt{ + NaCN ,n the fused state The latter two reactmns were effected by a new "alloy bridge" technique which does not require d,rect contact of reactant salts In this mannm. potassium cyanl(te was obtained substant,ally free of anmns other than CN-. Reacinon rate d~ta are plesented for reactmn of KC1 + NaCN by the "alloy bridge" method, and other poss,ble apphcations of the method are suggested.
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