1310-82-3

A clear aqueous solution. Very caustic. Very irritating to skin and eyes. Used in electric storage batteries.

A strong base. Forms caustic solution in water [Merck 11th ed. 1989].

Absorbs carbon dioxide from the air. May generate large amounts of heat when diluted with water.

Strong irritant to tissue.

TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury or death. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Avoid any skin contact. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.

Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated.

clear colorless solution

Grayish-white orthogonal crystals; hygroscopic; density 3.2 g/cm³; melts at 301°C; very soluble in water (100 g/100 mL at 15°C), the solution highly alkaline; soluble in ethanol.

Catalyst in oxidative chlorination.

Rubidium Hydroxide is used to give fireworks a violet color. It is a notable ntermediate in the synthesis of other rubidium compounds. It is used in photography and storage batteries.

ChEBI: Rubidium hydroxide is an alkali metal hydroxide and a rubidium molecular entity.

Rubidium hydroxide may be obtained as an intermediate in recovering rubidium metal from mineral lepidolite (see Rubidium). In the laboratory it may be prepared by adding barium hydroxide to a solution of rubidium sulfate. The insoluble barium sulfate is separated by filtration:
Rb₂SO₄ + Ba(OH)₂ → 2RbOH + BaSO₄
Preparation should be in nickel or silver containers because rubidium hydroxide attacks glass. The solution is concentrated by partial evaporation. The commercial product is usually a 50% aqueous solution.