Curium(III) oxide

Ia3

A = 1100 pm

• Curiumsequioxid
• Dicuriumtrioxid

Colorless to pale brownish solid

Fixed

2270 ± 25 ° C

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search is not possible

Curium (III ) oxide is an oxide of the element curium. It has the molecular formula Cm2O3. Since all isotopes of curium are produced artificially, it has no natural resources.

Representation

Curium (III ) oxide can be obtained by thermal decomposition of Curium (IV ) oxide in a vacuum (about 0.01 Pa ) can be obtained at 600 ° C:

Another way is represented by the reduction of curium (IV ) oxide, with molecular hydrogen:

Properties

It is a colorless to slightly brownish solid which melts at about 2270 ° C. Curium (III ) oxide, three modifications are known. The α - form crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system in space group P3m1 and the lattice parameters a = 380 pm and c = 599 pm. The β - form of the curium (III ) oxide has a monoclinic crystal system with lattice parameters a = 1,428 pm, 364 pm b = c = 888 pm on. The in γ - manganese (III ) oxide - form crystallized γ - curium (III ) oxide has the lattice parameters a = 1100 pm and the space group Ia3.

Use

Curium (III ) oxide can be used for preparing further Curiumsalze. By dissolving the oxide in acid the corresponding salts can be obtained. For example, Curiumperchlorat be prepared by dissolving Curiumoxid in perchloric acid.

The reaction with anhydrous hydrogen chloride at 400-600 ° C can curium (III ) chloride are obtained.

Safety

Classifications according to the Hazardous Substances Ordinance are not available because they only include the chemical danger and play a very minor role compared to the risks based on the radioactivity. Even the latter applies only if there is a relevant material for this amount.