Sodium acetate is inexpensive, and is usually purchased from chemical suppliers, instead of being synthesized in the laboratory. It is sometimes produced in a laboratory experiment by the reaction of acetic acid with sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or sodium hydroxide to name a few bases which contain sodium.

CH₃-COOH + Na⁺[HCO₃]^- CH₃-COO- Na⁺ + H₂O + CO₂

It can be prepared by reacting a potassium-containing base such as potassium hydroxide or potassium carbonate with acetic acid: 2CH₃COOH + K₂CO₃ 2CH₃COOK + CO₂ + H₂O This sort of reaction is known as an acid-base neutralization reaction. Potassium acetate is the salt that forms along with water as acetic acid and potassium hydroxide are neutralized together.

Conditions/substances to avoid are: moisture, heat, flames, ignition sources, and strong oxidizing agents.