What Is Sodium Chloride?

Sodium chloride is the primary component of table salt and is an ionic compound. It appears as colorless cubic crystals or fine crystalline powder, has a salty taste, and exhibits a white crystalline appearance. Its main natural source is seawater. Sodium chloride has a melting point of 801 °C, a boiling point of 1413 °C, and a relative density of 2.165. It is hygroscopic in the presence of impurities. It is readily soluble in water and glycerol, slightly soluble in ethanol, insoluble in hydrochloric acid, and forms neutral aqueous solutions. Its solubility in water increases slightly with rising temperature. The dihydrate NaCl·2H₂O can be obtained at temperatures below 0.15 °C. Sodium chloride is used for food seasoning and preserving fish, meat, and vegetables, as well as in soap salting-out and leather tanning processes.