Standard Operating Procedures
Laboratory Specific
Chemical: Sodium Amide
Please fill out the form completely. Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Refer to instructions for assistance.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Department: Chemistry
Date when SOP was written: 11/28/2012
Date when SOP was approved by the lab supervisor: 11/29/2012
Principal Investigator: Richmond Sarpong
Internal Laboratory Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager: Rebecca Murphy
Laboratory Phone: 510-643-2485
Office Phone: 510-643-6312
Emergency Contact: Richmond Sarpong 626-644-2407
Location(s) covered by this SOP: Latimer 834, 836, 837, 838, 839, 842, 844, 847, 849, 907
_____________________________________________________________________________
Type of SOP:
Process
Hazardous Chemical
Hazardous Class
Purpose
Sodium amide, commonly called sodamide, is a chemical compound with the formula NaNH2.
Sodium amide is extremely water reactive. It exists as a white solid when pure, but commercial
samples are typically gray due to the presence of small quantities of metallic iron from the
manufacturing process. Such impurities do not usually affect the utility of the reagent. NaNH 2 has
been widely used as a strong base in organic synthesis.
Use: Reagent in organic reactions
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#
7782-92-5
Class:
Peroxides
Water Reactive Chemical, Corrossive, may form explosive
Molecular Formula:
NaNH2
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Form (Physical State):
Color:
Solid
White when pure
Boiling Point:
400 °C (752 °F)
Melting Point:
210 °C (410 °F)
Flash Point:
4.4 °C (88 °F)
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
Harmful by skin contact, eye contact, ingestion, and/or inhalation. Material causes skin burns and
is harmful if absorbed through skin. Causes eye burns if splashed in eye. It is very harmful if
swallowed. It is harmful if inhaled since material is extremely destructive to the tissue of mucous
membranes and upper respiratory tract. Cal-OSHA has not established an 8-hour Permissible
Exposure Limit for sodium amide.
Engineering Controls
Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety
shower. A fume hood should be used at all times when handling sodium amide.
NOTE: Lab-specific information on engineering controls may be included in the
Protocol/Procedure section.
The following is a general plan for all water reactive materials:
1. Work under an inert atmosphere (e.g., argon, nitrogen) in a glove box.
If work in a glove box is impractical or otherwise not indicated; be certain the material is
not pyrophoric.
1. Work in a properly functioning certified chemical fume hood when handling water
reactive materials. Work with the sash as low as possible.
2. Work away from any water sources or where there is the potential of water splash.
3. Use fresh, dry solvents.
4. Keep the material under inert atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen, argon) when not in use.
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
NOTE: Lab-specific information on PPE selection may be included in the Protocol/Procedure
section.
Respiratory Protection
NOTE: Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by
EH&S. This is a regulatory requirement.
Respirators should be used only under any of the following circumstances:
 As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have been
exhausted).
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When Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) has exceeded or when there is a possibility that
PEL will be exceeded.
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Regulations require the use of a respirator.
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An employer requires the use of a respirator.
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There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in the
absence of PEL)
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As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process
Hand Protection
Handle with gloves. Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique
(without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of
contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
NOTE: Lab-specific and chemical-specific information on glove selection may be included in the
Protocol/Procedure section. Refer to glove selection from the link below:
For glove selection, go to: http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/63-laboratory-safety/94-glove-selection-andusage.html
NOTE: Nomex-and-leather flight gloves over chemically resistant gloves are recommended in the
UC Berkeley Office of Environmental Health and Safety document “Safe Use of Pyrophoric and
Water Reactive Reagents”. http://www.ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/126-standard-operatingprocedures-sop.html
Eye Protection
Tightly fitting safety goggles. Use face shield (8-inch minimum) when appropriate (not protected
by fume hood sash for example). Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under
appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU) or ANSI Z87.1.
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Skin and Body Protection
Long pants, closed-toed and closed-heeled shoes, cotton-based clothing/attire, and flame
resistant lab coat must be worn for protecting against chemical hazards.
NOTE: A Nomex lab coat is recommended in the UC Berkeley Office of Environmental Health
and Safety document “Safe Use of Pyrophoric and Water Reactive Reagents”.
http://www.ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/126-standard-operating-procedures-sop.html
Hygiene Measures
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands before
breaks and at the end of workday.
First Aid Procedures
Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the
incident.
If Inhaled
Move person into fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Consult a physician.
In Case of Skin Contact
Take off contaminated clothing immediately. Wash off with soap and plenty of water for 15
minutes. Take victim immediately to hospital. Consult a physician.
In Case of Eye Contact
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the upper and
lower eyelids. Get medical aid immediately.
If Swallowed
Do not induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Rinse mouth
with water. Consult a physician.
Special Handling and Storage Requirements
NOTE: Lab-specific information on handling and storage may be included in the
Protocol/Procedure section.
Working Alone
Certain extremely hazardous operations should not be performed if the PI or Lab Safety
Contact(s) are not present. Never work alone with extremely hazardous materials/operations.
See the Protocol/Procedure section below for specific prohibitions (if any) on working alone.
NOTE: The UC Berkeley Office of Environmental Health and Safety document “Safe Use of
Pyrophoric and Water Reactive Reagents” specifies not to work alone or during off hours, when
there are few people around to help. http://www.ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/126-standard-operatingprocedures-sop.html
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Precautions for Safe Handling
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Avoid formation of dust and aerosols.
Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed.
A fume hood should be used when handling sodium amide. Keep away from sources of
ignition.
No smoking.
Unless it is known otherwise, assume the material is pyrophoric.
To be handled always in a glove box or under inert atmosphere.
Design a quenching scheme for residual materials prior to using water reactive materials.
Never use water to quench the material itself or a reaction where a water-reactive reagent is
used.
Begin quenching with a low reactivity quenching agent and slowly add more reactive
quenching agents. For example, first quench residual sodium metal with isopropanol and
then add ethanol to the mixture.
Design your experiment to use the least amount of material possible to achieve the desired
result.
It is better to do multiple transfers of small volumes than attempt to handle larger quantities.
Before transferring, make sure that the material is at room temperature.
Avoid formation of dusts and aerosols
Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed.
Take measures to prevent the build-up of electrostatic charge.
Keep away from sources of ignition – Open flames (e.g., Bunsen Burner)
Eliminate or substitute a less hazardous material when possible.
Verify your experimental set-up and procedure prior to use.
Inform colleagues that this material will be used and where. Label the work area with a sign
saying "Water Reactives Use Area".
Only use if the area is properly equipped with a certified eye wash/safety shower within ten
seconds of travel.
Never use water to extinguish fires caused by water reactive materials.
NOTE: See a more details on safe handling in the UC Berkeley Office of Environmental Health
and Safety documents “Safe Use of Pyrophoric and Water Reactive Reagents” and “Quenching
of Pyrophoric Substances”. http://www.ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/126-standard-operatingprocedures-sop.html
Conditions for Safe Storage
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Keep container tightly closed in a closed, cool, dry, and well-ventilated place.
Never allow product to get in contact with water during storage because it is water and air
sensitive.
Handle and store under inert gas.
Cabinets where significant quantities of sodium amide must be labeled with the hazard
warning “Corrosive.”
All corrosives with concentrations greater than or equal to 1M must be stored in secondary
containment at all times.
Sodium amide is stored inside the glovebox and should be weighed in the glovebox.
Over time, pressure may increase causing containers to burst. Keep container tightly closed
in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place and protected from sunlight.
Store and handle under inert gas (Noble gases such as Nitrogen, Argon etc.)
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Keep in a dry place (such as a desiccator or a dry box or glove box) free of
moisture/humidity.
Store away from heat sources and in a flame proof area
Do not leave the container near a lab sink, emergency eyewash or safety shower.
Store in a location, separated from acids, oxidizing and other incompatible materials.
Use/purchase only amount that is needed in a reasonable amount of time. Use small
quantities whenever possible.
Store in a separate secondary container and label the material clearly.
Minimize dust generation and accumulation.
Hazard communication label on the container must read ‘Water Reactive’. W
Never allow product to get in contact with water or water based compounds during storage.
Do not leave the container on the bench top - even momentarily.
Follow any substance-specific storage guidance provided in Safety Data Sheet
documentation.
Monitor your inventory closely to assure that you have tight control over your material.
Wash hands and arms with soap and water after handling.
Minimize dust generation and accumulation.
At the end of each project, thoroughly inspect the area for residual reactive material.
Spill and Accident Procedure
Chemical Spill Dial 911
Spill – Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area. Avoid breathing vapors.
Eliminate sources of ignition if the chemical is flammable. If possible, confine the spill to a small
area using a spill kit or absorbent material. Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g.,
use caution tape, barriers, etc.).
Small (<1 L) – If you have training, you may assist in the clean-up effort. Use appropriate
personal protective equipment and clean-up material for chemical spilled. Double bag spill waste
in clear plastic bags, label and take to the next chemical waste pick-up.
Large (>1 L) – Dial 911 and 510-642-9090 for assistance.
Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in
emergency shower for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S
immediately.
Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with
water for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor
and EH&S immediately.. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Medical Emergency Dial 911
Life Threatening emergency, After Hours, Weekends and Holidays – Dial 911
or go to the nearest emergency room.) Note: All Serious injuries must be reported to EH&S within
8 hours.
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Non-Life Threatening Emergency – Go to the Occupational Health Facility (OHF). After
hours go to the nearest emergency room. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S
within 8 hours.
Needle stick/puncture exposure (as applicable to chemical handling procedure) – Wash the
affected area with antiseptic soap and warm water for 15 minutes. For mucous membrane
exposure, flush the affected area for 15 minutes using an eyewash station. Go to the
Occupational Health Facility (Tang Health Center). After hours go to the nearest emergency
room. Note: All needle stick/puncture exposures must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours.
Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure
NOTE: Lab-specific information on decontamination/waste disposal may be included in the
Protocol/Procedure section.
Wearing proper PPE, please decontaminate equipment and bench tops using procedures made
in cooperation with site EHS&S. Please dispose of the water reactive and disposables
contaminated with water reactives as hazardous waste.
General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
Label Waste
Label all containers with the label provided at http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hm/279-new-hazardouswaste-program-hwp.html. See the EH&S Fact Sheet, “Hazardous Waste Management” for
general instructions on procedures for disposing of hazardous waste.
Store Waste
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Call EH&S for proper procedure to dispose of waste
Store hazardous waste in closed containers, in secondary containment and in a
designated location
Double-bag dry waste using transparent bags
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Waste must be under the control of the person generating & disposing of it
Dispose of Waste
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Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 6 months
Call EH&S for questions
Empty Containers
o Dispose as hazardous waste if it once held extremely hazardous waste
(irrespective of the container size)
o Consult waste pick-up schedule
Prepare for transport to pick-up location
 Check on-line waste tag
 Write date of pick-up on the waste tag
 Use secondary containment
 Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 6 months
 Call EH&S for questions
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Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Location
SDS can be accessed online at http://ucmsds.com
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Comments:
1. Please identify the specific procedural use for sodium amide. For multiple uses, include separate
procedure and initials table.
2. Describe specific steps in right hand column including safeguards.
Protocol/Procedure
CAS#
7782-92-5
Preparation
List any other particular preparation requirements needs for this procedure (e.g., location of spill kit or keep water or ignition
sources away from procedure area).
Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, eyewash, and safety shower before beginning work.
Lab-specific
Information
It should be handled in a fully functioning fume hood under an atmosphere of inert gas and only removed when inside a
sealed vial. This compound is extremely water and air-sensitive and must be labeled as “corrosive”.
Exposure to water and air results in a violent reaction to produce ammonia and sodium hydroxide and will burn in air to give
off oxides of sodium and nitrogen. Limited exposure to air and water can also lead to explosive peroxide formation. This is
accompanied by a yellowing or browning of the solid. As such, sodium amide should always be stored in a tightly closed
container, under an atmosphere of nitrogen gas. Sodium amide samples which are yellow or brown in color should be dealt
with immediately.
These containers should not be handled and proper safety authorities should be notified. These risks are greatly minimized
if stored inside a glovebox.
Add lab-specific information not included above if needed (e.g., all work for this procedure is to take place in the designated
fume hood.)
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Procedure/Use
Scale
Sodium amide is a
reagent used in a
wide variety of
organic reactions.
Max use 1
gm. More
may be used
with
permission
from P.I.
Solutions of
sodium
amide that
have a
concentration
of 1M or
greater must
be stored in
secondary
containment
at all times.
Notes
Initials of individuals
using this
procedure
Engineering
Controls/Equipment
Care should be taken when
quenching reaction
containing sodium amide
due to the potential for
release of ammonia gas.
All reactions should have a
pressure outlet during
quenching and should be
quenched slowly with some
sort of alcoholic solvent.
PPE (eye, face, gloves,
clothing)
Eyes: Researchers handling this
compound should wear safety
glasses,
Hands: Use nitrile gloves ,11 mm
or 4.3 mils. Double-glove for
heavy or immersion use
Body: Wear a flame-resistant lab
coat
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
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Procedure Steps and Special
Precautions for this Procedure
Sodium amide should be weighed into a
reaction flask or vial under inert
atmosphere in a glovebox. Upon
removal of this flask or vial from the
glovebox, the sodium amide should be
kept under active inert atmosphere at all
times.
After careful addition of dry solvent and
reagents, and completion of the
chemical reaction, quenching of
unreacted sodium amide should be
carried out at 0 C by slow addition of
an alcoholic solvent.
Documentation of Training (signature of all users is required)
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Prior to conducting any work with water reactive chemicals, designated personnel must
provide training to his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working
with the substance(s), work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.
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The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP
and a copy of the SDS provided by the manufacturer.
I have read and understand the content of this SOP:
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