2013. Cesium Hydroxide

Nomenclature

CAS number: 21351-79-1
Cesium hydrate.
CsHO; mol wt 149.91.
Cs 88.66%, H 0.67%, O 10.67%.
CsOH.

Description and references

Prepd by electrolysis of Cs salts: Winslow et al., J. Phys. Colloid Chem. 51, 967 (1947); Jolibois, Berger, Compt. Rend. 224, 78 (1947). Alternate prepn: H. Jacobs, B. Harbrecht, Z. Naturforsch. B36, 270 (1981). Toxicity study: Cochran et al., Arch. Ind. Hyg. 1, 637 (1950).

Properties

White or yellowish, fused, very deliquescent, crystalline mass; strongly alkaline reaction. mp 272°. d 3.68. Corrosive. Sol in about 0.25 part water, much heat being evolved; sol in alcohol. Keep tightly closed. LD50 i.p. in rats: 100 mg/kg (Cochran).

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of eyes, skin, upper respiratory tract; eye and skin burns. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 56.

Use

In storage-battery electrolytes; as catalyst in the polymerization of cyclic siloxanes.