Sodium

Location:  Group 1, Period 3
Atomic Weight:  22.98977
Coordination Number:  (6)
Chemical Form in Solution:  Na⁺(aq) (largely ionic in nature)
(coordination number in parentheses is assumed, not certain)

Storage & Handling:  Keep tightly sealed when not in use. Store and use at 20 ± 4°C. Do not pipet from container. Do not return portions removed for pipetting to container.

Chemical Compatibility:  Soluble in HCl, HNO₃, H₂SO₄ and HF aqueous matrices. Stable with all metals and inorganic anions.

Stability:  2-100 ppb levels stable for months in 1% HNO₃ / LDPE container. 1-10,000 ppm solutions chemically stable for years in 1-5% HNO₃ / LDPE container.

Na Containing Samples (Preparation & Solution):  Metal (dissolves very rapidly in water); Ores (lithium carbonate fusion in graphite crucible followed by HCl dissolution - blank levels of Na in lithium carbonate critical); Organic Matrices (Sulphuric / peroxide digestion or nitric / Sulphuric / perchloric acid decomposition).