Rubidium chloride

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Rubidium chloride
Rubidium chloride dark bottle by Corrosive Chemistry.jpg
Names
IUPAC name
Rubidium chloride
Preferred IUPAC name
Rubidium chloride
Other names
Rubidium monochloride
Properties
RbCl
Molar mass 120.921 g/mol
Appearance White hygroscopic solid
Odor Odorless
Density 2.80 g/cm3 (25 °C)
2.088 g/cm3 (750 °C)
Melting point 718 °C (1,324 °F; 991 K)
Boiling point 1,390 °C (2,530 °F; 1,660 K)
77 g/100ml (0 °C)
91 g/100 ml (20 °C)
130 g/100 ml (100 °C)
Solubility Insoluble in chloroform
Solubility in methanol 1.41 g/100 ml
Vapor pressure ~0 mmHg
Thermochemistry
95.9 J·K−1·mol−1
−435.14 kJ/mol
Hazards
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich
Flash point Non-flammable
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
4,440 mg/kg (rat, oral)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Lithium chloride
Sodium chloride
Potassium chloride
Caesium chloride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Rubidium chloride is the chemical compound with the formula RbCl.

Every 18 mg of rubidium chloride is equivalent to approximately one banana equivalent dose due to the large fraction (27.8%) of naturally-occurring radioactive isotope rubidium-87.

Properties

Chemical

Rubidium chloride burns with a red-purple flame in a flame.

Physical

Rubidium chloride is a white hygroscopic solid, soluble in water.

Availability

Rubidium chloride is sold by lab suppliers. Can also be bought online, though it's pricey.

Preparation

The most common preparation of pure rubidium chloride involves the reaction of rubidium hydroxide, carbonate or bicarbonate with hydrochloric acid, followed by recrystallization.

Projects

  • Make colored flames
  • Non-invasive biomarker in biology

Handling

Safety

Rubidium chloride, like all alkali salts, has low toxicity, though it may be irritant to eyes, mouth and lungs.

Rubidium chloride has shown antidepressant effects in experimental human studies, in doses ranging from 180 to 720 mg. It purportedly works by elevating dopamine and norepinephrine levels, resulting in a stimulating effect, which would be useful for anergic and apathetic depression.

Storage

In closed plastic or glass bottles.

Disposal

No special disposal is required, though since rubidium is not cheap, it's best to try and recycle the compound as much as possible.

Gallery

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads