THORIUM NITRATE HYDRATE

Chemical properties

white solid

The Uses of THORIUM NITRATE HYDRATE

Reagent for determination of fluorine, thoriated tungsten filaments.

General Description

A white crystalline mass. Mildly toxic. Not combustible but accelerates burning of combustible materials. May explode in a fire if in large quantities or if the combustible material is finely divided. Toxic oxides of nitrogen are produced in fires. Mildly radioactive. Radioactive materials emit certain rays detectable only by instruments. Minimal radiation hazard in transport. No protective shielding for packages is required.

Air & Water Reactions

Somewhat soluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Thorium nitrate is soluble in water and very soluble in alcohol (ethanol) and acids and is not combustible but accelerates burning of combustible materials. Thorium nitrate is highly reactive and incompatible with combustible materials, organic materials, and finely powdered metals. It may explode in a fire if in large quantities or if the combustible material is finely divided. Toxic oxides of nitrogen are produced in fires. Thorium nitrate, on contact with oxidising agent, oxidisable materials, and combustible and/or organic materials, causes fire and chemical hazards and violent explosion.
Mixtures of metal/nonmetal nitrates with alkyl esters may explode, owing to the formation of alkyl nitrates; mixtures a nitrate with phosphorus, tin (II) chloride. or other reducing agents may react explosively [Bretherick 1979 p. 108-109]. With water forms a weak solution of nitric acid, the reaction is not hazardous.

Hazard

Dangerous fire and explosion risk in contact with organic materials, strong oxidizing agent. Radioactive.

Health Hazard

Compound has low chemical toxicity, but alpha emission is expected to constitute a hazard if a fairly large amount is inhaled or ingested. Dust may irritate eyes and cause diffuse dermatitis. Beta and gamma emission is small.

Safety Profile

Poison by intraperitoneal, intravenous, and intratracheal routes. Moderately toxic by ingestion. Experimental reproductive effects. Radioactive. An oxidizing material; when in contact with readily combustible substances will cause violent combustion or ignition. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx. See also THORIUM and NITRATES.