The reaction is so exothermic that ignition is possible. The resulting solution, which is colorless, is often used as a source of sodium methoxide, but the pure material can be isolated by evaporation followed by heating to remove residual methanol. As a solid, sodium methoxide is polymeric, with sheet-like arrays of Na+ centers, each bonded to four oxygen centers.[3] The structure, and hence the basicity, of sodium methoxide in solution depends on the solvent. It is a significantly stronger base in DMSO where it is more fully ionized and free of hydrogen bonding.[4]odium methoxide is a routinely used base in organic chemistry, applicable to the synthesis of numerous compounds ranging from pharmaceuticals to agrichemicals.[4] As a base, it is employed in dehydrohalogenations and various condensations.[5] It is also a nucleophile for the production of methyl ethers.[6]Industrial applications[edit] Sodium methoxide is used as an initiator of anionic addition polymerization with ethylene oxide, forming a polyether with high molecular weight.[7] Biodiesel is prepared from vegetable oils and animal fats (fatty acid triglycerides) by transesterification with methanol to give fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). Sodium methoxide acts as a catalyst for this reaction, but will combine with any free fatty acids present in the oil/fat feedstock to form soap byproducts.[citation need