bobharvey wrote:
On 18 Mar, 18:35, (Nick Maclaren) wrote:
God alone knows what sodium oxide is
like, but I don't want to get anywhere near even a small quantity!

You do right.
http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/SO/sodium_oxide.html
"Reacts violently with water, acids and with many other compounds.
Store under dry inert gas. May lead to fire in contact with
combustible material."

Strangely inaccurate for the last sentence (but then there is a disclaimer
page http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/ - which also seems odd for Oxford Uni).

I doubt Sodium oxide would lead to fire in contact with combustible
material. But Sodium Peroxide, well, that's another matter entirely -
http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/SO/sodium_peroxide.html

--
Jeff
(cut "thetape" to reply)