Sodium acetate, also known as acetic acid sodium salt, is an organic compound with the molecular formula CH3COONa and a molecular weight of 82.03. The trihydrate form of sodium acetate appears as white crystals with a relative density of 1.45 and a melting point of 58°C. It effloresces in dry air, loses crystalline water at 120°C, and decomposes at higher temperatures. The anhydrous sodium acetate is a colorless transparent crystal with a melting point of 324°C. It is highly soluble in water and can be used as a buffer, a mordant, for the determination of lead, copper, nickel, and iron, in the preparation of culture media, and in organic synthesis.