Rubidium nitrate

Rubidium nitrate

Names
IUPAC name Rubidium nitrate
Preferred IUPAC name Rubidium nitrate
Systematic IUPAC name Rubidium nitrate
Other names Nitric acid, rubidium salt
Properties
Chemical formula	RbNO3
Molar mass	147.473 g/mol
Appearance	White hygroscopic solid
Odor	Odorless
Density	3.11 g/cm3 (at 25 °C)
Melting point	310 °C (590 °F; 583 K) (decomposes)
Boiling point	Decomposes
Solubility in water	44.28 g/100 ml (16 °C) 65.0 g/100 ml (25 °C)
Solubility	Slightly soluble in acetone
Vapor pressure	~0 mmHg
Hazards
Safety data sheet	Sigma-Aldrich
Flash point	Non-flammable
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (Median dose)	4,625 mg/kg (rat, oral)
Related compounds
Related compounds	Lithium nitrate Sodium nitrate Potassium nitrate Caesium nitrate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Rubidium nitrate is an inorganic compound with the formula RbNO₃.

Properties

Chemical

Rubidium nitrate is an oxidizer and mixtures with combustible materials are flammable.

Rubidium nitrate will decompose above 300-310 °C to yield rubidium nitrite and oxygen.

Physical

Rubidium nitrate is a white crystalline powder that is highly soluble in water and very slightly soluble in acetone. In a flame test, RbNO₃ gives a mauve/light purple color.

Availability

Rubidium nitrate is sold by chemical suppliers, but it's not cheap.

Preparation

Can be easily prepared by dissolving rubidium carbonate in nitric acid, the recrystallized from the resulting solution. Rubidium hydroxide can also be used, albeit this reaction is very exothermic, so the neutralization should be done slowly.

Rb₂CO₃ + 2 HNO₃ → 2 RbNO₃ + H₂ + CO₂

RbOH + HNO₃ → RbNO₃ + H₂O

Projects

• Oxidizer
• Compound collecting

Handling

Safety

Rubidium nitrate is an oxidizer and should be handled with care.

Storage

In closed bottles.

Disposal

Should be recycled, as rubidium compounds are expensive.