Chemical compound
Radium oxide is an inorganic compound of radium and oxygen with the chemical formula RaO.[1][2][3]
Synthesis
The compound can be obtained by heating metallic radium in air:[4][5]
- 2Ra + O2 → 2RaO
This reaction also produces radium nitride and possibly radium peroxide:
- 3Ra + N2 → Ra3N2
- Ra + O2 → RaO2
Chemical properties
Radium oxide can react with water to form radium hydroxide:
- RaO + H2O → Ra(OH)2
Uses
It is often used as a precursor to create other radium compounds that are used in radiation therapy.
References
- ^ Alkali Metals—Advances in Research and Application: 2013 Edition: ScholarlyBrief. ScholarlyEditions. 21 June 2013. p. 57. ISBN 978-1-4816-7240-5. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ Kumar, Sunil (18 April 2023). Biofuels: Technologies, Policies, and Opportunities. CRC Press. p. 239. ISBN 978-1-000-83718-6. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ Coughlin, James P. (1954). Heats and Free Energies of Formation of Inorganic Oxides. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 38. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ Ropp, Richard C. (31 December 2012). Encyclopedia of the Alkaline Earth Compounds. Newnes. p. 115. ISBN 978-0-444-59553-9. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ Corwin, Charles H. (2011). Introductory Chemistry: Concepts and Critical Thinking. Pearson Prentice Hall. p. 248. ISBN 978-0-321-66305-4. Retrieved 19 November 2023.