Finely Divided Calcium Metal

Abstract

Finely divided calcium for laboratory pnrposes can also be prepared by recrystallizing bulk calcium from a sodium solution. The bulk calcium dissolves in sodium at elevated temperatures and, upon cooling, crystallizes out in small dendritic platelets that become trapped in a sodium matrix when the sodium solidifies. As in the previous synthesis, the sodium matrix may be removed by preferential reaction with a hydrous lower alcohol.