sodium methoxide structure is a caustic, volatile chemical that reacts readily with water to produce methanol. It is an important industrial chemical that has many applications. It is used in the production of biofuels, pharmaceuticals and detergents. It is also used as a catalyst to convert biomass into biodiesel.

It is a strong base and is corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. It can act as an oxidizing agent and ignite substances such as paper, oil, wood or clothing on contact. It can also re-ignite fires that have been extinguished. The vapors produced by burning Sodium methoxide are toxic and can cause lung edema. Inhalation may lead to nausea and vomiting. Sodium methoxide is also a powerful reducing agent and can react with acid to form corrosive sodium hydroxide.

When dissolved in water, Sodium methoxide forms a colorless solution. The pure material can be isolated by evaporation and heating to remove the methanol. It has a crystalline structure and is polymeric in nature with sheet-like arrays of Na+ centers, each bonded to four oxygen centers. Sodium methoxide is a stronger base in DMSO than in water because it is more fully ionized and free of hydrogen bonding.

Sodium methoxide is manufactured on an industrial scale and available from various chemical stores. It is used as a reagent and catalyst in industrial chemistry, pharmaceuticals, LED manufacturing, and other processes. It can be purchased in both solid and liquid form, with the latter being more readily available than the former.