hydrochloric acid and dried by warming,
Sodium Borate (ホウ砂)
Na2B4O7.10H2O: 381.37
Sodium Borate contains not less than
99.0% and not more than 103.0% of sodium
borate (Na2B4O7 • 10H2O).
Description Sodium Borate occurs as colorless
or white crystals or a white crystalline
powder. It is odorless, and has a slightly
characteristic, saline taste.
It is freely soluble in glycerin, soluble in
water, and practically insoluble in ethanol
(95), in ethanol (99.5) and in diethyl ether.
When placed in dry air, Sodium Borate
effloresces and is coated with a white powder.
Identification A solution of Sodium Borate (1
in 20) responds to the Qualitative Tests
<1.09> for sodium salt and for borate.
• A. Sodium salt
(1) When the Flame Coloration Test
(1) <1.04> is applied to sodium salts, a
yellow color develops.
(2) Concentrated, neutral or slightly
alkaline solutions of sodium salts yield a
white, crystalline precipitate with potassium
hexahydroxoantimonate (V) TS. The
formation of the precipitate is accelerated
by rubbing the inside wall of the test tube
with a glass rod.
• B. Borate
(1) When ignite a mixture of a borate
with sulfuric acid
and methanol, it burns with a green flame.
(2) Turmeric paper, when moistened
with acidic solutions of borates in
exhibits a red color, which changes to blue
with ammonia TS added dropwise.
pH <2.54> Dissolve 1.0 g of Sodium Borate in
20 mL of water: the pH of this solution is
between 9.1 and 9.6.
Purity (1) Clarity and color of
solution—Dissolve 1.0 g of Sodium Borate in
20 mL of water by warming slightly: the
solution is clear and colorless.
(2) Carbonate or bicarbonate—Dissolve
1.0 g of powdered Sodium Borate in 20 mL
of freshly boiled and cooled water, and add 3
mL of dilute hydrochloric acid: the solution
does not effervesce.
(3) Heavy metals <1.07>—Dissolve 1.5
g of Sodium Borate in 25 mL of water and 7
mL of 1 mol/L hydrochloric acid TS, add 1
drop of phenolphthalein TS, and add
ammonia TS until a pale red color develops.
Then add dilute acetic acid until the solution
becomes colorless again, add 2 mL of dilute
acetic acid, and add water to make 50 mL.
Perform the test using this solution as the test
solution. Prepare the control solution as
follows: to 3.0 mL of Standard Lead Solution
add 2 mL of dilute acetic acid and water to
make 50 mL (not more than 20 ppm).
(4) Arsenic <1.11>—Prepare the test
solution with 0.40 g of Sodium Borate
according to Method 1, and perform the test
(not more than 5 ppm).
Assay Weigh accurately about 2 g of Sodium
Borate, dissolve in 50 mL of water, and
titrate <2.50> with 0.5 mol/L hydrochloric
acid VS (indicator: 3 drops of methyl red TS).
Each mL of 0.5 mol/L hydrochloric
acid VS
＝ 95.34 mg of Na2B4O7.10H2O
Containers and storage Containers—Tight
containers.
Source: Japanese Pharmacopeia XIV
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Sodium Borate
Na2B4O7• 10H2O
381.37
Na2B4O7
Borax [1303-96-4]
Anhydrous [1330-
43-4]
Description
Sodium Borate contains an amount of
Na2B4O7 equivalent to NLT 99.0% and NMT
105.0% of Na2B4O7 • 10 H2O.
Identification
• A. Identification Tests – General,
Sodium <191>
“Unless otherwise specified in an individual
monograph, prepare a solution to contain
0.1 g of the sodium compound in 2 mL of
water. Add 2 mL of 15% potassium
carbonate, and heat to boiling. No
precipitate is formed. Add 4 mL of
potassium pyroantimonate TS, and heat to
boiling. Allow to cool in ice water and, if
necessary, rub the inside of the test tube
with a glass rod. A dense precipitate is
formed. Sodium compounds impart an
intense yellow color to a nonluminous
flame.”
Sample Solution: 1 in 20
Acceptance Criteria: Meets the
requirements
• B. Identification Tests – General, Borate
<191>
“To 1 mL of a borate solution, acidified with
hydrochloric acid, bismuth salts yield a
white precipitate upon dilution with water.
This precipitate is colored brown by
hydrogen sulfide, and the resulting
compound dissolves in a warm mixture of
equal parts of nitric acid and water
Sample Solution: 1 in 20
Acceptance Criteria: Meets the
requirements
Assay
• Procedure
Sample: 150 mg
Blank: Glacial Acetic Acid
Titrimetric System: (See Titrimetry
<541>)
Mode: Direct titration
Titrant: 0.5 N Hydrochloric Acid VS
Blank: 50 mL of water
Endpoint detection: Visual
Analysis: Dissolve the Sample in 50 mL
of water, add methyl red TS, and titrate
with 0.5 N Hydrochloric Acid VS. [Note-
Heating on a steam bath may be required Source: United States Pharmacopoeia –
initially to effect solution.] National Formulary

Calculate the percentage of Sodium Borate

[Na2B4O7•10H2O] in the Sample taken:
Result = [(V=B) x N x F] x
100/W

V = Volume of Titrant consumed by the

Sample (mL)
B = Volume of Titrant consumed by the
Blank
Sample
N = Actual normality of the Titrant
(mEq/mL)
F = Equivalency factor, 190.7 mg/mEq
W = Weight of the Sample (mg)
Acceptable Criteria: 99.0%-105.0%

Impurities
• A. Heavy Metal <231>
Test Preparation: Dissolve 1 g in 16
mL of water and 6 mL of 1 N Hydrochloric
Acid. Dilute with water in 25 mL
Acceptance Criteria: NMT 20 ppm
• B. Carbonate and Bicarbonate
Sample Solution: To 5 mL of a
solution (1 in 20), contained in a test tube,
add 1 mL of 3 N Hydrochloric Acid.
Acceptance Criteria: No effervescence
is observed

Additional Requirements:
• A. Packaging and Storage: Preserve in
tight container.