Sodium Metasilicate

Sodium Metasilicate is an ionic compound consisting of sodium cations Na+ and the polymeric metasilicate anions [–SiO2−3–]n. It is a colorless crystalline hygroscopic and deliquescent solid, soluble in water. The anhydrous compound can be prepared by fusing silicon dioxide SiO2 (silica, quartz) with sodium oxide Na2O in 1:1 molar ratio. In addition to the anhydrous form, there are hydrates with the formula Na2SiO3·nH2O (where n = 5, 6, 8, 9)