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Chemistry Forums for Students => Inorganic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: winter on April 02, 2004, 10:58:00 AM

Title: Sodium tetraborate pentahydrate vs sodium tetraborate decahydrate
Post by: winter on April 02, 2004, 10:58:00 AM

Hi, What is the difference between sodium tetraborate pentadrate and sodium tetraborate decahydrate? I am trying to make a product that I use frequently in my work - the formula is Na2B4O7-5H2o    I need to make it as exact as possible.  Thank you for any help that you can offer




Edit: Edited title for Indexing purposes. Mitch

Title: Re:a formula
Post by: Mitch on April 02, 2004, 05:05:54 PM

The difference is 5 water molecules. The decahydrate has 10 water molecules.

If its in a solution, you kinda have to expect you'll have an equilibrium mixture of the 2 substances. You could try using molecular sieves so you can push the synthesis towards the petahydrate. But, I would need to know more details of what exactly you are doing.

Title: Re:Sodium tetraborate pentahydrate vs sodium tetraborate decahydrate
Post by: AWK on April 03, 2004, 06:35:40 AM

Pentahydrate can be obtained during crystallization of borax (decahydrate) at 80 C.