Soda ash is the common name for technical grade sodium carbonate. It is a odorless, white powder that has an alkaline taste. It is represented by the molecular formula Na₂CO₃. It has a melting point of 93.2°F (34°C).

Soda ash was one of the earliest manufactured chemicals. Ancient peoples produced soda ash by pouring water through burned plants and then evaporating the water from the resulting mix. This soda was used for making both glass and soap.

The chemical industry expanded during the 1700s, producing ever-increasing amounts of glass, soaps, and textiles, all of which required common soda. Soda derived from plants was expensive and could not keep up with the demand, especially when sources of supply were disrupted by frequent wars. A number of chemists experimented with ways to produce soda from alternative sources. The French Academy of Sciences, intent...