Plutonium trioxide
| Names | |
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| Other names
Plutonium(VI) oxide
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| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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| Properties | |
| PuO3 | |
| Molar mass | 536 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | golden-red crystals (hydrates) |
| insoluble (hydrates) | |
| Related compounds | |
Other anions
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Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references
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Plutonium trioxide is an inorganic compound of plutonium and oxygen with the chemical formula PuO3.[1] This is a high-order oxide of plutonium where the metal is in the +6 oxidation state. The compound is less stable and less common than the common plutonium dioxide PuO2.
Theoretical calculations on molecular actinide trioxides predict that while molecular plutonium trioxide should attain the +6 oxidation state for plutonium, the molecular trioxides of the heavier actinides should be regarded as having the actinide in the +5 oxidation state[2]
Synthesis
Initially, plutonium(III) hydroxide is obtained, which then transforms into plutonium(IV) hydroxide in air, and then oxygen containing ozone is passed through the suspension:[3]
- Pu(OH)4 + O3 → PuO3·H2O + O2 + H2O
Physical properties
Plutonium trioxide forms hydrates of variable composition PuO3•xH2O, where x = 0.8–1, which are golden-red crystals.[4] Not isolated in the anhydrous state: it decomposes when attempted to separate the water. When stored in the air, the compound absorbs moisture up to the composition of PuO3•H2O. Insoluble in water.
Chemical properties
Decomposes when heated:[5]
- 2PuO3·xH2O → 2PuO2 + O2 + 2xH2O
Dissolves in acids, forming salts:
- PuO3·xH2O + 2HNO3 → PuO2(NO3)2 + (x + 1)·H2O
References
- ^ May, Iain; Bryan, N. D.; Alvares, Rebeca (31 October 2007). Recent Advances In Actinide Science. Royal Society of Chemistry. p. 275. ISBN 978-1-84755-536-6. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ Zaitsevskii, Andréi (14 October 2015). "Plutonium and transplutonium element trioxides: molecular structures, chemical bonding, and isomers". Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. 17 (38): 24831–24836. Bibcode:2015PCCP...1724831Z. doi:10.1039/c5cp02190a. ISSN 1463-9084. PMID 26343514.
- ^ Bagnall, K. W.; Laidler, J. B. (1 January 1964). "516. Neptunium and plutonium trioxide hydrates". Journal of the Chemical Society (Resumed): 2693–2696. doi:10.1039/JR9640002693. ISSN 0368-1769. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ Lemire, Robert J. (26 August 2001). Chemical Thermodynamics of Neptunium and Plutonium. Elsevier. p. 339. ISBN 978-0-444-50379-4. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ Structural Chemistry of Inorganic Actinide Compounds. Amsterdam; Oxford: Elsevier. 2007. p. 491. ISBN 978-0-444-52111-8. Retrieved 11 January 2026.