Cesium hydroxide Chemical Properties

Melting point:

272 °C(lit.)

Density 

3.68 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)

solubility 

Miscible with ethanol.

form 

Liquid

pka

11.6[at 20 ℃]

color 

Colorless

Water Solubility 

soluble

Sensitive 

Air Sensitive

Merck 

13,2022

Exposure limits

ACGIH: TWA 2 mg/m3
NIOSH: TWA 2 mg/m3

Stability:

Stable. Incompatible with acids. Absorbs carbon dioxide from the air.

CAS DataBase Reference

21351-79-1(CAS DataBase Reference)

NIST Chemistry Reference

Cesium hydroxide(21351-79-1)

EPA Substance Registry System

Cesium hydroxide (21351-79-1)

Safety Information

Hazard Codes 

C

Risk Statements 

22-35-34

Safety Statements 

26-36/37/39-45-37/39-27-28

RIDADR 

UN 2682 8/PG 2

OEB

B

OEL

TWA: 2 mg/m3

WGK Germany 

3

F 

3

TSCA 

Yes

HazardClass 

8

PackingGroup 

II

HS Code 

28259090

Hazardous Substances Data

21351-79-1(Hazardous Substances Data)

Toxicity

LD50 i.p. in rats: 100 mg/kg (Cochran)

MSDS

• Language:English Provider:Cesium hydroxide
• Language:English Provider:SigmaAldrich
• Language:English Provider:ACROS
• Language:English Provider:ALFA

Cesium hydroxide Usage And Synthesis

Description

Cesium Hydroxide, as a water-soluble source of cesium, is typically found in any of several hydrate forms. Its applications are relatively limited due to its volatility and high basicity – corroding glass – as well as the high cost of cesium extraction. These applications include use as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries, particularly below the freezing point of water, in color photography, and as a catalyst for synthesis of organics such as phenylacetylene and polymers. Furthermore, it also finds use as a precursor in the manufacture of cesium salts.

Sources

https://www.alfa.com/en/catalog/B22480/
https://www.alfa.com/en/catalog/013233/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesium_hydroxide
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Cesium_hydroxide#section=Use-and-Manufacturing
http://www.chemicalland21.com/industrialchem/inorganic/CESIUM%20HYDROXIDE.htm
https://www.americanelements.com/cesium-hydroxide-hydrate-12260-45-6

Description

Cesium hydroxide is a colorless-to-yellowcrystalline compound. It is often used in a water solution.Molecular weight=142.92; Specific gravity (H2O:1) 53.68; Freezing/Melting point=272℃. HazardIdentification (based on NFPA 704 M Rating System):Health 3, Flammability 0, Reactivity 0. Highly soluble inwater; solubility 395% at 15℃.

Chemical Properties

Cesium hydroxide is a colorless-to-yellow crystalline compound. It is often used in a water solution.

Physical properties

White to yellowish fused crystalline mass; highly deliquescent; very alkaline; density 3.68 g/cm³; melts 272°C; highly soluble in water; soluble in ethanol; aqueous solution is very alkaline.

Uses

Cesium hydroxide is used in the preparation of porous cesium titanosilicates, which are potential ion-exchange materials utilized for radioactive wastes cleaning purpose. It is also involved in the preparation of other cesium salts. Further, it is used as an electrolyte in alkaline storage batteries and as a catalyst in organic synthesis. In addition to this, it is used in color photography.

Definition

ChEBI: Caesium hydroxide is an alkali metal hydroxide and a caesium molecular entity.

Application

Cesium hydroxide also exerts unusual effects in organic reactions, such as the controlled alkylation of amines. In this instance, the cesium ion itself is explicitly involved in the reaction. The hydroxide base promotes an alkylation of a primary amine, while the Cs+ ion weakly coordinates to the amine such that further alkylation is inhibited, preventing formation of dialkyl and trialkyl amines.
Cesium hydroxide solution is used in industrial catalysis. Cesium acts as apromoter e.g. in the production of polyols. Polyols are important raw materials for the production of polyurethane foams. Their synthesis profits from use of cesium hydroxide as base catalyst. In polyol synthesis isomerization of the starting material propylene oxide is an adverse side reaction eventually leading to chain termination in the polymerization with polyisocyanate. The tendency of polyols to undergo isomerization is minimized when using cesium hydroxide, as isomerization tendency decreases in the order Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs.

Preparation

Cesium hydroxide is prepared by electrolysis of cesium salts to obtain cesium metal, which then reacts with water to yield hydroxide. It also is prepared by the action of barium hydroxide with an aqueous solution of cesium sulfate.

General Description

Cesium hydroxide is a colorless to yellow crystalline solid. Harmful to skin and eyes. Used in electric storage batteries.

Air & Water Reactions

Dilution with water may generate enough heat to cause steaming or spattering.

Reactivity Profile

CESIUM HYDROXIDE,SOLUTION neutralizes acids exothermically to form salts plus water. Reacts with certain metals (such as aluminum and zinc) to form oxides or hydroxides of the metal and generate gaseous hydrogen. May initiate polymerization reactions in polymerizable organic compounds, especially epoxides. May generate flammable and/or toxic gases with ammonium salts, nitrides, halogenated organics, various metals, peroxides, and hydroperoxides. May serve as a catalyst. Reacts when heated above about 84°C with aqueous solutions of reducing sugars other than sucrose, to evolve toxic levels of carbon monoxide [Bretherick, 5th Ed., 1995].

Hazard

A poison. Skin, eye, and upper respiratory tract irritant.

Health Hazard

TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury or death. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Avoid any skin contact. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Safety Profile

Poison by intraperitoneal route. Moderately toxic by ingestion. A powerful caustic. A corrosive skin and eye irritant. See also CESIUM.

Potential Exposure

Cesium hydroxide may be used as a raw material for other cesium salts; such as the chloride which in turn may be used to produce cesium metal. Cesium metal is used in electronic devices.

First aid

If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least30 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts theskin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediatelywith soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Ifthis chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions,Cesium hydroxide 591including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped andCPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to amedical facility. When this chemical has been swallowed,get medical attention. If victim is conscious, administerwater or milk. Do not induce vomiting.

storage

Color Code—White: Corrosive or Contact Hazard:Store separately in a corrosion-resistant location. Prior toworking with cesium hydroxide you should be trained on itsproper handling and storage. Cesium hydroxide should bestored in silver or platinum away from air because it reactsviolently with oxygen. Store in tightly closed containers ina cool, well-ventilated area away from moisture and incompatible materials listed above.

Shipping

UN2682 Cesium hydroxide, Hazard class: 8; Labels: 8-Corrosive material. UN2681 Cesium hydroxide, solution, Hazard class: 8; Labels: 8-Corrosive material

Incompatibilities

Cesium hydroxide is the strongest base known. Keep away from all acids. It must be stored in silver or platinum and out of contact with air because of its reactivity with glass. CsOH causes the generation of considerable heat in contact with water or moisture. Contact with many organic compounds, many metals (i.e., aluminum, lead, tin, zinc), glass, oxygen, or carbon dioxide causes a violent reaction.

Cesium hydroxide(21351-79-1)Related Product Information

• CESIUM OXIDE
• Ammonium hydroxide
• CERIUM OXIDE
• Sodium hydroxide
• Caesium fluoride
• Calcium hydroxide
• Aluminum hydroxide
• Cesium nitrate
• Copper(I) Cyanide
• Cesium bromide
• CESIUM DODECAHYDRODODECABORATE
• Cesium carbonate
• CESIUM HYDROXIDE, HYDRATE (99.9%-CS)
• Cesium sulfate
• INDIUM HYDROXIDE
• Iron hydroxide
• Cesium hydroxide
• Zinc hydroxide