Radium oxide

Radium oxide is an inorganic compound of radium and oxygen with the chemical formula RaO.^[1][2][3]

Radium oxide

Identifiers
CAS Number	12143-02-1 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
InChI InChI=1S/O.Ra/q-2;+2 Key: PLEZGBHMSVTPPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES [Ra+2].[O-2]
Properties
Chemical formula	RaO
Molar mass	242 g/mol
Appearance	solid
Solubility in water	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). Infobox references

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.

References

1. Alkali Metals—Advances in Research and Application: 2013 Edition: ScholarlyBrief. ScholarlyEditions. 21 June 2013. p. 57. ISBN 978-1-4816-7240-5. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
2. Kumar, Sunil (18 April 2023). Biofuels: Technologies, Policies, and Opportunities. CRC Press. p. 239. ISBN 978-1-000-83718-6. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
3. Coughlin, James P. (1954). Heats and Free Energies of Formation of Inorganic Oxides. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 38. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
4. Corwin, Charles H. (2011). Introductory Chemistry: Concepts and Critical Thinking. Pearson Prentice Hall. p. 248. ISBN 978-0-321-66305-4. Retrieved 19 November 2023.