Caesium azide

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Caesium azide
Names
IUPAC name
Caesium azide
Other names
Cesium azide
Properties
CsN3
Molar mass 174.926 g/mol
Appearance White deliquescent solid
Odor Odorless
Density 3.5 g/cm3
Melting point 310 °C (590 °F; 583 K) [1]
Boiling point Decomposes
224.2 g/100 ml (0 °C)
307.4 g/100 ml (16 °C)
Solubility Insoluble in diethyl ether
Solubility in ethanol 1.0366 g/100 ml (16 °C)
Vapor pressure ~0 mmHg
Thermochemistry
134 J·mol−1·K−1
-19.6 kJ/mol
Hazards
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich
Related compounds
Related compounds
Lithium azide
Sodium azide
Potassium azide
Rubidium azide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Caesium azide or cesium azide is an inorganic compound of caesium and azide with the formula CsN3.

Properties

Chemical

Thermal decomposition of caesium azide yields caesium metal and nitrogen gas.

Physical

Caesium azide is a white deliquescent solid, very soluble in water.

Explosive

Unlike other azides, caesium azide is not sensitive to mechanical shock.

Availability

Caesium azide is sold by chemical suppliers, but due to the high toxicity of azides, it's not readily available for the amateur chemist. It is also very expensive.

Preparation

Can be prepared by neutralizing caesium hydroxide or carbonate with hydrazoic acid.

More conveniently, it can be prepared by double replacement of barium azide and caesium sulfate.[2]

Projects

  • Make caesium metal

Handling

Safety

Caesium azide is extremely toxic. The toxicity of azides is similar that of cyanides. There is no known antidote.

Storage

Caesium azide should be stored in spark-free containers, away from moisture or any acidic vapors.

Disposal

When disposed of, it must never be poured down the drain, as it will react to either copper or lead plumbing to yield copper azide, which is highly sensitive. Hydrolysis can also occur in aqueous solutions, at certain pH. Caesium azide must be treated with nitrous acid before being discarded. The caesium ions should be recycled.

References

  1. Liew, Li-Anne; Moreland, John; Gerginov, Vladislav; Applied Physics Letters; vol. 90; nb. 11; (2007); Art.No: 114106
  2. Curtius, Th.; Rissom, J.; Journal fur praktische Chemie (Leipzig 1954); vol. 58; (1898); p. 282 - 282

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