In aqueous solution, these ions are separated. NaHCO3 is a salt which consists of the ions Na+ and the bicarbonate anion, HCO3. Sodium bicarbonate precipitates as a solid from this method: It is produced on the scale of about 100,000 ton/year (year: 2001).Ĭommercial quantities of baking soda are also produced by this method: soda ash, mined in the form of the ore trona, is dissolved in water and treated with carbon dioxide. NaHCO3 is mainly prepared by the Solvay process, which entails the reaction of sodium chloride, ammonia, and carbon dioxide in water.

The natural mineral form is known as nahcolite. It is a component of the mineral natron and is found dissolved in many mineral springs. It has a slight alkaline taste resembling that of sodium carbonate.

Sodium bicarbonate is a white solid that is crystalline but often appears as a fine powder. Because it has long been known and is widely used, the salt has many other names including sodium hydrogencarbonate, sodium bicarb, baking soda, bread soda, cooking soda, bicarb soda, saleratus or bicarbonate of soda. Sodium bicarbonate is the chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3.

Natron sodium bicarbonate