Sodium Carbonate anhydrous is a white, crystalline, hygroscopic powder.
Sodium Carbonate is an inorganic salt with a melting point of 851 °C. It decomposes, when being heated at more than 400 °C under release of CO2 gas.
Sodium carbonate is a strong alkaline substance with a pH of 11.6 for a 0.1 M aqueous solution. When being neutralized with acids CO2 gas is released:
Na2CO3 + 2 HCl --> 2 NaCl + H2O + CO2
Na2CO3 + 2 CH3COOH --> 2 CH3COONa + H2O + CO2
Due to its hygroscopicity Sodium Carbonate Anhydrous attracts water under formation of monohydrate thus demonstrating its desiccation property.
Na2CO3 + H2O --> Na2CO3 * H2O