Radium oxide is an inorganic compound of radium and oxygen with the chemical formula RaO.[1][2][3]

Radium oxide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
  • InChI=1S/O.Ra/q-2;+2
    Key: PLEZGBHMSVTPPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • [Ra+2].[O-2]
Properties
RaO
Molar mass 242 g/mol
Appearance solid
reacts with water
Related compounds
Related compounds
Barium oxide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Synthesis

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The compound can be obtained by heating metallic radium in air:[4]

2Ra + O2 → 2RaO

This reaction also produces radium nitride and possibly radium peroxide:

3Ra + N2 → Ra3N2
Ra + O2 → RaO2

Chemical properties

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Radium oxide can react with water to form radium hydroxide:

RaO + H2O → Ra(OH)2

Uses

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It is often used as a precursor to create other radium compounds that are used in radiation therapy.

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Kumar, Sunil (18 April 2023). Biofuels: Technologies, Policies, and Opportunities. CRC Press. p. 239. ISBN 978-1-000-83718-6. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  3. ^ Coughlin, James P. (1954). Heats and Free Energies of Formation of Inorganic Oxides. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 38. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  4. ^ 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.