Group 1A – Alkali Metals

Elements Compounds Pharmaceutical Uses

Chemical Name Chemical Formula
Lithium (Li) Lithium carbonate Li2CO3  Lithium carbonate USP

Sodium (Na) Sodium chloride NaCl  Table Salt

 Rock Salt
 Solar Salt
 Electrolyte replenisher
Sodium bicarbonate NaHCO3  Baking soda
 Buffer (antacid)
Sodium tetraborate Na2 B4 O7.10 H2O  Borax
decahydrate  Water softener
 Antiseptic
Sodium carbonate Na2 CO3 .10 H2O  Washing soda
decahydrate  Sal soda
 Antacid
Ringer’s solution contains NaCl, CaCl₂, &  Electrolyte replenisher
KCl
Sodium citrate dihydrate Na₃C₆H₅O₇  Buffer
 Alkalizer
 Sequestering agent
Sodium fluoride NaF  Dental prophylactic
Sodium hydroxide NaOH  Caustic soda
 Lye
 Saponifying agent
Sodium hypochlorite NaOCl  Chlorox bleaching agent
Trisodium phosphate Na3PO4  Saline cathartic
Sodium sulfate Na2SO4.10H2O  Glauber’s salt
decahydrate  Cathartic
Sodium thiosulfate Na2 S2 O3 . 5 H2O  Hypo antidote for HCN poisoning
pentahydrate
Sodium silicate Na2 SiO3  Water glass
Sodium carbonate Na2 CO3  Soda ash
 Soda
Sodium acetate NaCH3COO  Diuretic
 Urinary alkalizer
 Systemic antacid
Sodium bromide NaBr  Sedative
Sodium nitrate NaNO3  Chile salt peter
 Preservative
Sodium thiocyanate NaSCN  Hypotensive agent
Sodium tartrate Na2C4H4O6  Primary std Karl Fisher Rgt.
Sodium carbonate Na2CO3.2H2O  Trona
dihydrate
Sodium ion Na+  Predominant in extracellular fluid
of the body

Potassium (K) Potassium bitartrate KHC4 H4 O6  Cream of tartar

 Cathartic
Potassium bromide KBr  Sedative
Potassium hydroxide KOH  Caustic potash
 Saponifying agent
Potassium permanganate KMnO4  Mineral chameleon
 Oxidizing agent
 Antiseptic
Potassium sodium KNaC4H4O6.4H2O  Rochelle salt
tartrate  Sal seignette – saline laxative
Sulfurated potash  Liver of sulfur
 Hepar sulfuris – used for the
preparation of white lotion
Potassium carbonate K2CO3  Potash
 Salt of tartar – for preparation of
K compounds
Potassium nitrate KNO3  Salt peter
 Salitre meat preservative
Group 1A – Alkali Metals
Hydrate potassium KAl(SO4)2.12H2O /  Astringent
aluminum sulfate / AM(SO4)2.12H2O
potassium alum
Potassium chlorite KClO3  Ingredient of toothpaste,
mouthwash, & gargle
Potassium bicarbonate KHCO3  Antacid
 Carbonating agent
Potassium acetate KCH3COO  Diuretic
 Urinary alkalizer
 Antacid

Ammonium ion Ammonia solution NH4OH  Mild alkalizer

(NH4+) Aromatic Spirit of  Reflex stimulant
Ammonia (Spirit of sal
volatile)
Ammonium carbonate (NH4)2 CO3  Sal volatile
 Baker’s ammonia
 Hartshorn expectorant
Ammoniated mercury HgNH2Cl  White precipitate
 Anti-infective
Ammonium bromide NH4Br  Sedative
 CNS depressant
Ammonium chloride NH4Cl  Sal Ammoniae
 Expectorant
 Systemic acidifier
 Diuretic