What is the Difference Between Sodium Aluminate and Sodium Meta Aluminate

Sodium compounds often have high solubility in water, forming clear solutions. Many sodium compounds are essential for biological processes and industrial applications. Sodium aluminate and sodium meta aluminate are two such sodium compounds.

What is the difference between sodium aluminate and sodium meta aluminate? Sodium aluminate is a general term for compounds containing sodium, aluminum, and oxygen, whereas sodium meta aluminate is a specific type of sodium aluminate with the chemical formula NaAlO₂.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Sodium Aluminate  
      – Definition, Features 
2. What is Sodium Meta Aluminate 
      – Definition, Features 
3. Similarities Between Sodium Aluminate and Sodium Meta Aluminate
      – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Sodium Aluminate and Sodium Meta Aluminate
      – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Sodium Aluminate and Sodium Meta Aluminate
      – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

NaAlO₂, NaAl(OH)₄, Na₂O·Al₂O₃, Na₂Al₂O₄, Sodium Aluminate, Sodium Meta Aluminate

What is Sodium Aluminate

Sodium aluminate is an inorganic compound. It serves as a source of aluminum hydroxide in industrial applications. Its chemical formula can be represented in different ways: NaAlO₂, NaAl(OH)₄, Na₂O·Al₂O₃, or Na₂Al₂O₄. It appears as a white crystalline solid in its pure form. Sometimes commercially it is available as a solution.

This compound is widely used in the water treatment industry as a coagulant aid. It improves the flocculation process and removes dissolved silica and phosphates. Sodium aluminate is also used in the paper industry, fire brick production, and alumina manufacturing. It also acts as an intermediate in the production of zeolites.

What is Sodium Meta Aluminate

Sodium meta aluminate is a specific type of sodium aluminate compound. It is an inorganic compound. The elemental composition of sodium meta aluminate is sodium, aluminium, and oxygen. Its chemical formula is NaAlO₂. This compound has a higher solubility in water and a complex structure in aqueous form due to hydrolysis and complex ion formation. Sodium aluminate generally exists as a white crystalline solid. Aluminum is a Lewis acid that coordinates with oxygen atoms from water molecules or hydroxide ions. This forms the octahedral complexes.

Sodium meta aluminate exhibits an amphoteric nature. It can react with both acids and bases. This compound also reacts with acids to form aluminum salts and sodium salts. Moreover, it reacts with carbon dioxide to form aluminum hydroxide and sodium carbonate.

There are many applications of sodium meta aluminate. Some include the use in water treatment, paper industry, construction, and chemical industry.

Similarities Between Sodium Aluminate and Sodium Meta Aluminate

1. Both compounds contain the same elements: sodium, aluminum, and oxygen.
2. They are found as white crystalline solids or as solutions.
3. Aqueous solutions of both compounds are alkaline in nature.
4. Both are highly soluble in water. 

Difference Between Sodium Aluminate and Sodium Meta Aluminate

Definition

• Sodium aluminate is a general term for compounds containing sodium, aluminum, and oxygen, whereas sodium meta aluminate is a specific type of sodium aluminate with the chemical formula NaAlO₂.

Chemical Formula

• Sodium meta-aluminate has the specific chemical formula NaAlO₂, while sodium aluminate does not.

Structure

• Sodium meta-aluminate has a simpler structure, whereas sodium aluminate can exist in various structural forms, including complex polymeric structures.

Nature

• Sodium meta-aluminate is a specific term, while sodium aluminate is a general term.

Conclusion

Sodium aluminate and sodium meta-aluminate are both sodium aluminum oxide compounds. Sodium aluminate is a compound containing sodium, aluminum, and oxygen, typically formed in aqueous solution. However, sodium meta-aluminate is anhydrous. This is the basic difference between sodium aluminate and sodium meta aluminate. Both compounds are used in various industries due to their potential uses.

FAQ: Sodium Aluminate and Sodium Meta Aluminate

1. Are sodium meta aluminate and sodium aluminate the same?

Sodium meta-aluminate is a specific type of sodium aluminate. Although both contain sodium and aluminum, meta-aluminate refers to a particular structure or form of the compound.

2. What is the formula for aluminate and meta aluminate?

Aluminate is a general term for compounds containing aluminum and oxygen. The specific formula depends on the metal involved. For example, sodium aluminate is NaAlO2. Meta-aluminate is a specific type of aluminate with a particular structure. Sodium meta-aluminate has the formula NaAlO2.

3. What is the difference between sodium aluminate and sodium zincate?

Sodium aluminate and sodium zincate are inorganic compounds containing sodium but differ in their metal components. Sodium aluminate contains aluminum, while sodium zincate contains zinc.

4. What is the difference between aluminate and aluminum?

Aluminum is a metallic element, a lightweight, strong metal used in various products. Aluminate is a compound containing aluminum combined with oxygen and another element.

5. What are the disadvantages of sodium aluminate?

Sodium aluminate is a corrosive chemical that can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs. It can cause coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Repeated exposure may lead to bronchitis. 

Reference:

1. “Sodium Aluminate.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation. 

Image Courtesy:

1. “Unit cell of NaAlO2” By Andif1 – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “NaAlO2” By Leiem – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia