Caesium chloride

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Caesium chloride
Caesium chloride bottle and sample.jpg
Caesium chloride sample
Names
IUPAC name
Caesium chloride
Other names
Cesium chloride
Cesium monochloride
Properties
CsCl
Molar mass 168.36 g/mol
Appearance White hygroscopic solid
Odor Odorless
Density 3.988 g/cm3
Melting point 646 °C (1,195 °F; 919 K)
Boiling point 1,297 °C (2,367 °F; 1,570 K)
162.0 g/100 ml (0 °C)
186.5 g/100 ml (20 °C)
191.0 g/100 ml (25 °C)
270.5 g/100 ml (100 °C)
Solubility Soluble in ethanol, conc. HCl, hydrazine, methanol
Insoluble in acetone
Solubility in acetonitrile 0.0083 g/100 ml (18 °C)
Solubility in acetone 0.003 g/100 ml (25 °C)
Solubility in ammonia 0.38 g/100 ml (0 °C)
Solubility in ethanol 0.76 g/100 ml (25 °C)
Solubility in formic acid 107.7 g/100 ml (18 °C)
Vapor pressure ~0 mmHg
Hazards
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich
Flash point Non-flammable
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
2,300 mg/kg (mouse, oral)
910 mg/kg (mouse, IV)
2,600 mg/kg (rat, oral)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Lithium chloride
Sodium chloride
Potassium chloride
Rubidium chloride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Caesium chloride or cesium chloride, is the inorganic compound with the formula CsCl.

Properties

Chemical

Addition of a strong acid, like sulfuric acid, will release hydrochloric acid.

2 CsCl + H2SO4 → Cs2SO4 + 2 HCl

At high temperatures, magnesium will reduce caesium chloride to give caesium metal.

2 CsCl + Mg → 2 Cs + MgCl2

Caesium chloride forms a variety of double salts with other chlorides. Examples include 2CsCl·BaCl2, 2CsCl·CuCl2, CsCl·2CuCl and CsCl·LiCl, and with interhalogen compounds

Physical

Caesium chloride is a hygroscopic colorless solid, extremely soluble in water.

Availability

Caesium chloride is sold by chemical suppliers.

Preparation

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

2 CsOH + HCl → CsCl + H2O

Projects

  • Make blue-violet flame
  • Make caesium metal
  • Make caesium hydroxide via electrolysis
  • Solute for ultracentrifugation

Handling

Safety

Caesium chloride has low toxicity, with a median lethal dose (LD50) in mice of 2,300 mg/kg of body weight for oral administration and 910 mg/kg for intravenous injection. When taken in large quantities, however, can cause a significant imbalance in potassium and lead to hypokalemia, arrythmia, and acute cardiac arrest.

Storage

In closed bottles.

Disposal

Since caesium is difficult to find, it's best to try and recycle it.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads