[joeflsts]

I wanted to make Benedict's Solution and had everything except Sodium Citrate.  I used the following synthesis, created the Benedict's Solution and it appears to have worked.  It probably isn't pure (my fault) but I'm happy with the sythesis:

Citric Acid, anhydrous
74.44 g (0.387 moles)

plus

Sodium Carbonate, anhydrous
61.61 g (0.581 moles)

gives

Sodium Citrate (Trisodium -fully neutralized)
100 g (0.387 moles)

Start with anhydrous Citric Acid and anhydrous Sodium Carbonate in the
above amounts to make the equivalent of 100 g of Sodium Citrate. Of
course, this is done in water. You decide what final concentration you
need. Add the carbonate to a aqueous solution of citric acid and do it
slowly, the reaction will fizz vigorously (carbon dioxide is produced).
Fizzing will stop as you add the last of the carbonate to complete the
neutralization.

Scale the amounts up or down to make the amount of Sodium Citrate needed.

[constant thinker]

That is pretty cool and resourceful joe.

[pantone159]

Citric acid and sodium hydroxide should be even better.  The carbonate ions might interfere in some cases, although you probably removed a lot of them in the fizzing.