Radium oxide
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Radium oxide is an inorganic compound of radium and oxygen with the chemical formula RaO.[1][2][3]
| Identifiers | |
|---|---|
3D model (JSmol) |
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| 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).
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Synthesis
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
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.