Rubidium hydroxide

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Rubidium hydroxide
Identifiers
CAS number	[1310-82-3]
Properties
Molar mass	102.48 g/mol
Appearance	white solid, hygroscopic
Density	3.203 g/cm³, solid
Melting point	301 °C
Solubility in water	180 g/100 ml (15 °C)
Thermochemistry
Std enthalpy of formation Δ_fH^o₂₉₈	−413.8 kJ/mol
Standard molar entropy S^o₂₉₈	? J.K⁻¹.mol⁻¹
Related compounds
Other anions	Rubidium fluoride Rubidium chloride Rubidium bromide Rubidium iodide Rubidium hydride Rubidium hydroxide Rubidium oxide Rubidium sulfide Rubidium selenide Rubidium telluride
Other cations	Lithium hydroxide Sodium hydroxide Potassium hydroxide Caesium hydroxide Water and all other hydroxides
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Rubidium Hydroxide (RbOH) is a strong basic chemical and alkali that is formed by one rubidium ion and one hydroxide ion.

Rubidium hydroxide does not appear in nature. However it can be obtained by synthesis from rubidium oxide. In addition, rubidium hydroxide is commercially available in form of an aqueous solution from a few suppliers.

Rubidium hydroxide is highly corrosive, therefore suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye-face protection are required when handling this material.

1 Synthesis
2 Uses
3 Hazard prevention
4 See also
5 References

[edit] Synthesis

Rubidium hydroxide can be synthesized from rubidium oxide by dissolving the oxide into water:

Rb₂O(s) + H₂O(l) → 2RbOH(aq)

Rubidium hydroxide is also commercially available from a certain number of chemical suppliers in form of 50% or 99% aqueous solution at multiples of 5 g.

[edit] Uses

Rubidium hydroxide is rarely used in industrial processes because potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide can perform nearly all the industrial functions of rubidium hydroxide in a less violent and hence safer way.

Rubidium hydroxide is used in scientific research. It is often used sparingly to prevent waste of the expensive element rubidium.

Despite the fact that rubidium hydroxide is rarely used in normal industrial processes, it is notable that the synthesis of nearly all rubidium compounds involves rubidium hydroxide as an intermediate. Natural rubidium oxide is added to water, and the resulting reaction forms soluble rubidium hydroxide as a product.

[edit] Hazard prevention

Rubidium hydroxide is a corrosive compound that causes immediate burns to the skin on contact. Ultimate care must be carried out when handling this chemical.

In the laboratory, protective clothing, gloves, and eye-face protection made from alkali-resistant materials are to be worn to prevent injury caused by accidental leakage of rubidium hydroxide onto human skin.

Dilution of this strong alkali must be done by adding the hydroxide slowly into the beaker of water.

In addition, chemical experiments on this compound must be performed with caution to prevent the great amount of heat released in an exothermic reaction from causing the solution to boil-over or damage the vessel.