Caesium sulfate

Caesium sulfate (Cs₂SO₄) is an inorganic compound that consists of caesium cations (Cs⁺) and sulfate anions (SO₄²⁻). It is a white crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water.

Properties

Caesium sulfate is known for its high density and solubility in water. It has a density of 4.243 g/cm³ and a melting point of 1,010 °C. Upon heating, it decomposes rather than boiling. The compound is stable under normal conditions but should be handled with care due to the reactive nature of caesium.

Preparation

Caesium sulfate can be prepared by the reaction of caesium hydroxide (CsOH) with sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄):

2 CsOH + H₂SO₄ → Cs₂SO₄ + 2 H₂O

This reaction results in the formation of caesium sulfate and water.

Applications

Caesium sulfate is used in various applications, including:

• Density gradient centrifugation: Due to its high density, caesium sulfate is used in density gradient centrifugation, a technique used to separate different components of a mixture based on their densities.
• Analytical chemistry: It is used as a reagent in analytical chemistry for the detection and quantification of certain ions.
• Research: Caesium sulfate is used in research settings, particularly in studies involving caesium and its compounds.

Safety

While caesium sulfate is not highly toxic, it should be handled with care. Caesium compounds can be reactive, and appropriate safety measures should be taken to avoid ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact.

Also see

• Caesium
• Sulfate
• Density gradient centrifugation
• Inorganic compound