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Occurrence and Production of Sodium
Occurrence
At the end of the 19th century, sodium was chemically prepared by heating sodium carbonate with carbon to 1100°C.
Na2CO3 (liquid) + 2C(solid, coke) 2Na(vapour) + 3CO(gas)
It is now produced commercially through the electrolysis of liquid sodium chloride. This is done in a Downs Cell in which the NaCl is mixed with calcium chloride to lower the melting point below 700°C. As calcium is less electronegative than sodium, no calcium will be formed at the cathode. This method is less expensive than the previous Castner process of electrolyzing sodium hydroxide.
Very pure sodium can be isolated by thermal decomposition of sodium azide (NaN3).