General Description
An aqueous solution. Strongly corrosive. Harmful to skin and eyes. Used in electric storage batteries.
Reactivity Profile
CESIUM HYDROXIDE,SOLUTION neutralizes acids exothermically to form salts plus water. Reacts with certain metals (such as aluminum and zinc) to form oxides or hydroxides of the metal and generate gaseous hydrogen. May initiate polymerization reactions in polymerizable organic compounds, especially epoxides. May generate flammable and/or toxic gases with ammonium salts, nitrides, halogenated organics, various metals, peroxides, and hydroperoxides. May serve as a catalyst. Reacts when heated above about 84°C with aqueous solutions of reducing sugars other than sucrose, to evolve toxic levels of carbon monoxide [Bretherick, 5th Ed., 1995].
Air & Water Reactions
Dilution with water may generate enough heat to cause steaming or spattering.
Hazard
A poison. Skin, eye, and upper respiratory
tract irritant.
Health Hazard
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.
Potential Exposure
Cesium hydroxide may be used as a
raw material for other cesium salts; such as the chloride
which in turn may be used to produce cesium metal.
Cesium metal is used in electronic devices.
Fire Hazard
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.
First aid
Move victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency
medical service. Give artificial respiration if victim is not
breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim
ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration
with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve
or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance,
immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at
least 20 minutes. For minor skin contact, avoid spreading
material on unaffected skin. Keep victim warm and quiet.
Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact) to
substance may be delayed. Ensure that medical personnel
are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to
protect themselves. Medical observation is recommended for
24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary
edema may be delayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema, a
doctor or authorized paramedic may consider administering
a drug or other inhalation therapy.
Shipping
UN2682 Cesium hydroxide, Hazard class: 8;
Labels: 8-Corrosive material. UN2681 Cesium hydroxide,
solution, Hazard class: 8; Labels: 8-Corrosive material
Incompatibilities
Cesium hydroxide is the strongest base
known. Keep away from all acids. It must be stored in silver or platinum and out of contact with air because of its
reactivity with glass. CsOH causes the generation of considerable heat in contact with water or moisture. Contact
with many organic compounds, many metals (i.e., aluminum, lead, tin, zinc), glass, oxygen, or carbon dioxide
causes a violent reaction.
Chemical Properties
Cesium hydroxide is a colorless-to-yellow
crystalline compound. It is often used in a water solution.
Chemical Properties
colourless liquid (as a 50% solution in water)
Physical properties
White to yellowish fused crystalline mass; highly deliquescent; very alkaline; density 3.68 g/cm3; melts 272°C; highly soluble in water; soluble in ethanol; aqueous solution is very alkaline.
Uses
In storage-battery electrolytes; as catalyst in the polymerization of cyclic siloxanes.
Uses
Rubidium hydroxide (RbOH) is very hygroscopic (absorbs large amounts of water for its
weight). It is also an excellent absorber of carbon dioxide. Rubidium hydroxide can be used to
etch glass and as an electrolyte in low-temperature electric storage batteries for use in vehicles
in the subarctic.
Uses
Used to make porous cesium titanosilicates, potential ion-exchange materials for cleanup of radioactive wastes.1
Application
Cesium hydroxide also exerts unusual effects in organic reactions, such as the controlled alkylation of amines. In this instance, the cesium ion itself is explicitly involved in the reaction. The hydroxide base promotes an alkylation of a primary amine, while the Cs+ ion weakly coordinates to the amine such that further alkylation is inhibited, preventing formation of dialkyl and trialkyl amines.
Cesium hydroxide solution is used in industrial catalysis. Cesium acts as apromoter e.g. in the production of polyols. Polyols are important raw materials for the production of polyurethane foams. Their synthesis profits from use of cesium hydroxide as base catalyst. In polyol synthesis isomerization of the starting material propylene oxide is an adverse side reaction eventually leading to chain termination in the polymerization with polyisocyanate. The tendency of polyols to undergo isomerization is minimized when using cesium hydroxide, as isomerization tendency decreases in the order Li > Na > K > Rb > Cs.
Definition
ChEBI: Caesium hydroxide is an alkali metal hydroxide and a caesium molecular entity.
Preparation
Cesium hydroxide is prepared by electrolysis of cesium salts to obtain cesium metal, which then reacts with water to yield hydroxide. It also is prepared by the action of barium hydroxide with an aqueous solution of cesium sulfate.
Flammability and Explosibility
Nonflammable
storage
Color Code—White: Corrosive or Contact Hazard:Store separately in a corrosion-resistant location. Prior toworking with cesium hydroxide you should be trained on itsproper handling and storage. Cesium hydroxide should bestored in silver or platinum away from air because it reactsviolently with oxygen. Store in tightly closed containers ina cool, well-ventilated area away from moisture and incompatible materials listed above.
