Strontium oxalate

Strontium oxalate is a compound with the chemical formula SrC₂O₄. Strontium oxalate can exist either in a hydrated form (SrC₂O₄·nH₂O) or as the acidic salt of strontium oxalate (SrC₂O₄·mH₂C₂O₄·nH₂O).^[2] Strontium oxalate is soluble in 20 000 parts of water; in 1 900 parts of 3.5% acetic acid, in 115 parts of the 23% acid, but less soluble in the 35% acid; readily soluble in diluted HCl or nitric acid.^[3]

Strontium oxalate

Names
IUPAC name Strontium oxalate
Identifiers
CAS Number	814-95-9 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	63140
ECHA InfoCard	100.011.286
EC Number	212-415-6
PubChem CID	69947
UNII	7IAW7E69NI Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID80883590
SMILES [Sr+2].[O-]C(=O)C([O-])=O
Properties
Chemical formula	SrC2O4
Molar mass	175.64 g·mol−1
Appearance	White powder[1]
Density	2.08 g/cm3
Boiling point	Decomposes above 200 °C (392 °F; 473 K)
Solubility in water	Insoluble in water
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards	Skin and eye irritant. Inhaling the compound irritates mucous membrane in the lungs.
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H302, H312
Precautionary statements	P264, P270, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P317, P321, P330, P362+P364, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	1 0 1
Safety data sheet (SDS)
Related compounds
Related compounds	Beryllium oxalate Magnesium oxalate Calcium oxalate Barium oxalate Potassium oxalate Praseodymium oxalate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Use in pyrotechnics

With the addition of heat, strontium oxalate will decompose based on the following reaction:^[4]

SrC₂O₄ → SrO + CO₂ + CO

Strontium oxalate is a good agent for use in pyrotechnics since it decomposes readily with the addition of heat. When it decomposes into strontium oxide, it produces a red flame color. Since this reaction produces carbon monoxide, which can undergo a further reduction with magnesium oxide, strontium oxalate is an excellent red flame color producing agent in the presence of magnesium. If it is not in the presence of magnesium, strontium carbonate has been found to be a better option to produce an even greater effect.

References

1. "Strontium oxalate".
2. Knaepen, E. "Preparation and Thermal Decomposition of Various Forms of Strontium Oxalate". Thermochimica Acta 284.1 (1996): 213-27.
3. O’Neil, M. J. (Ed.). (2013). The Merck index: An encyclopedia of chemicals, drugs, and biologicals (15a ed.). Royal Society of Chemistry.
4. Kosanke, K. "Chemical Components of Fireworks Compositions". Pyrotechnic Chemistry. Whitewater, CO: Journal of Pyrotechnics, 2004. 1-11.