Caesium chloride

Caesium Chloride

Caesium chloride (CsCl) is an inorganic compound consisting of caesium and chlorine. It is a white crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water. Caesium chloride is notable for its use in density gradient centrifugation and its role in the isopycnic separation of nucleic acids.

Properties

Caesium chloride crystallizes in a simple cubic lattice, which is a common structure for alkali halides. The compound has a high melting point of 645 °C and a boiling point of 1,297 °C. It is highly soluble in water, with a solubility of 1865 g/L at 20 °C.

Applications

Density Gradient Centrifugation

Caesium chloride is widely used in density gradient centrifugation, a technique used to separate molecules based on their density. This method is particularly useful in the separation of DNA and RNA molecules. During centrifugation, a gradient is formed, and molecules migrate to the position where their density matches that of the surrounding medium.

Medical Research

In medical research, caesium chloride has been studied for its potential use in cancer therapy. However, its use is controversial due to concerns about toxicity and lack of evidence for efficacy.

Other Uses

Caesium chloride is also used in the preparation of electrically conductive glasses and in the production of caesium metal. It serves as a precursor in the synthesis of other caesium compounds.

Safety and Handling

Caesium chloride should be handled with care, as it is a toxic compound. It can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Proper protective equipment, such as gloves and goggles, should be used when handling this chemical.

Also see

• Caesium
• Chloride
• Density gradient centrifugation
• Isopycnic separation
• Alkali metal