Carbonic acid monosodium salt (CAS 144-55-8) — Citrus None Note Fragrance Ingredient
Carbonic acid monosodium salt
CAS 144-55-8
What Is Carbonic acid monosodium salt?
Carbonic acid monosodium salt, commonly known as sodium bicarbonate or baking soda, is a white crystalline powder most familiar in household cleaning and baking. While primarily functional, it occasionally appears in personal care products for pH adjustment and gentle exfoliation. This versatile compound bridges culinary, cleaning, and cosmetic applications due to its mild alkaline properties and safety profile. Its odor-neutralizing capabilities make it a subtle background player in fragrance formulations where pH stabilization is needed without scent interference.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Carbonic acid monosodium salt Smell Like?
Odorless in pure form, carbonic acid monosodium salt acts as a scent-neutral foundation in formulations. Its complete lack of aromatic interference allows perfumers to use it as a pH buffer without altering fragrance profiles. When heated, it may release trace carbon dioxide but contributes no perceptible olfactory notes, functioning purely as a chemical stabilizer.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: [Na+].OC([O-])=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Carbonic acid monosodium salt (NaHCO₃) is an inorganic compound formed through the Solvay process by reacting sodium chloride, ammonia, and carbon dioxide in water. This white crystalline powder exists as a mild alkali with a pH of 8.4 (1% solution). Its thermal decomposition above 50°C yields sodium carbonate, water, and carbon dioxide. The compound’s amphoteric nature allows it to react with both acids and bases, making it valuable for pH regulation.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Melting Point | 50°C (decomposes) |
|---|---|
| Density | 2.20 g/cm³ |
| Solubility | 9.6 g/100 mL (20°C water) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functional Fragrance | 0.1-1% | Up to 5% | pH adjustment |
| Personal Care | 1-10% | Up to 50% | Deodorizing formulations |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use as a pH stabilizer in aqueous fragrance bases where scent neutrality is critical.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Stronger alkaline agent for formulations requiring higher pH adjustment.
Similar buffering properties with slightly different solubility profile.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions; exempt from regulation as a non-fragrance ingredient.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM considers sodium bicarbonate safe for all intended cosmetic uses.
Sustainability
Produced via the energy-intensive Solvay process but offset by low usage concentrations. Fully biodegradable with no environmental persistence. Synthetic production avoids natural resource depletion concerns.
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Sodium Bicarbonate CID 516892
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID9021269
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 84.006 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 2.17 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 299 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 160 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | -0.7 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | -5.1 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | -7 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.37 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 1.107 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.502 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 60.36 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
Data Sources:
🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.
