Strontium hydroxide

Description

Strontium Hydroxide occurs as an anhydrate whose prismatic, colorless crystals are deliquescent. A monohydrate and octahydrate are also known.Strontium hydroxide is slightly soluble in water but, surprisingly, the octahydrate is much more soluble. It is the latter that is supplied commercially for most applications.When the octahydrate is heated, seven waters of hydration are lost to form the monohydrate and finally the oxide.

Chemical properties

colourless deliquescent crystals

Physical properties

White deliquescent crystal; density 3.625 g/cm³; melts at 375°C in hydrogen atmosphere; converts to oxide at 710°C; slightly soluble in water at 0°C, 0.41 g/100 mL, soluble in boiling water at 100°C, 21.83 g/100 mL; soluble in acids and ammonium chloride solution.
The octahydrate consists of colorless, tetragonal, deliquescent crystals; density 1.90 g/cm³; loses all its water molecules at 100°C; sparingly soluble in water at low temperatures, 0.90 g/100 mL at 0°C; soluble in boiling water, 47.7 g/100 mL at 100°C; aqueous solution highly alkaline; soluble in acids and in ammonium chloride solution; insoluble in acetone.

The Uses of Strontium hydroxide

Strontium hydroxide [Sr(OH)2] is used to extract sugar from sugar beet molasses. It is also used in the manufacture of soaps, adhesives, plastics, glass, and lubricants that can be used in very high or low temperature environments.

The Uses of Strontium hydroxide

Extraction of sugar from beet sugar molasses, lubricant soaps and greases, stabilizer for plastics, glass, adhesives.

The Uses of Strontium hydroxide

Strontium hydroxide is used chiefly in the refining of beet sugar and as a stabilizer in plastic. It may be used as a source of strontium ions when the Cl^- ion is undesirable. Strontium hydroxide absorbs carbon dioxide from the air to form strontium carbonate. This salt is available commercially in sizable quantities.

Preparation

Preparation Strontium hydroxide is prepared by treating strontium oxide with water: SrO + H₂O → Sr(OH)₂
Alternatively, Sr(OH)2 is made by heating strontium carbonate or strontium sulfide with steam at temperatures around 500 to 600°C: SrCO₃ + H₂O → Sr(OH)₂ + CO₂ SrS + 2H₂O → Sr(OH)₂ + H₂S.

Definition

ChEBI: Strontium dihydroxide is a strontium hydroxide.

Flammability and Explosibility

Not classified

Purification Methods

Crystallise the hydroxide from hot water (2.2mL/g) by cooling to 0o.