Plutonium trihydride
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Plutonium trihydride is an compound of plutonium and hydrogen with the chemical formula PuH3.[1][2][3]
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Plutonium trihydride | |
| Other names
Plutonium(III) hydride | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
|
| |
| |
| Properties | |
| PuH3 | |
| Molar mass | 247 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | grey crystals |
| Density | 9610 kg/m3 |
| Melting point | 327 °C (621 °F; 600 K) |
| soluble | |
| Related compounds | |
Other cations |
|
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
| |
Synthesis
Plutonium reacts noticeably with hydrogen at room temperature and rapidly when heated:[4]
- 2Pu + 3H2 → 2PuH3
Also, heating of plutonium dihydride with hydrogen:
- 2PuH2 + H2 → 2PuH3
Physical properties
Plutonium trihydride forms grey crystals of hexagonal crystal structure,[5][6] with space group P63/mmc.
Chemical properties
When heated in an ammonia atmosphere, it forms a plutonium nitride:[7]
- PuH3 + NH3 → PuN + 3H2
It reacts with air:[8]
- PuH3 + O2 + N2 → Pu2O3 + PuN + H2