Strontium carbonate

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Strontium carbonate
Strontium carbonate sample Petri dish.jpg
Strontium carbonate in a Petri dish
Names
IUPAC name
Strontium carbonate
Systematic IUPAC name
Strontium carbonate
Other names
Strontianite
Properties
SrCO3
Molar mass 147.63 g/mol
Appearance White solid
Odor Odorless
Density 3.74 g/cm3
Melting point 1,494 °C (2,721 °F; 1,767 K) (decomposes)
Boiling point Decomposes
0.0011 g/100 ml (18 °C)
0.065 g/100 ml (100 °C)
Solubility Reacts with acids
Soluble in aq. ammonia and aq. NH4Cl, carbonated water
Vapor pressure ~ 0 mmHg
Hazards
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich
Flash point Non-flammable
Related compounds
Related compounds
Magnesium carbonate
Calcium carbonate
Barium carbonate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Strontium carbonate is a common strontium compound with the chemical formula SrCO3. It is often used in pottery, and can be obtained cheaply from such suppliers.

Properties

Chemical

Strontium carbonate is similar to all carbonates in that it reacts with most acids to produce the corresponding strontium salt, carbon dioxide, and water. Thus it is likely the most-used intermediate for strontium salts. Care must be taken when this is done with pottery grade material, as this is often contaminated with strontium sulfide which will produce hydrogen sulfide when mixed with a strong acid. It can be purified by reacting with a weak, soluble strontium salt making acid and filtering of insoluble powders. Strontium carbonate will also decompose at 1494°C to strontium oxide.

Physical

Strontium carbonate, when obtained from pottery suppliers, is an odorless white powder which is insoluble in water and soluble in acids.

Availability

Strontium carbonate is readily available at a cost of $2-3 per pound from pottery suppliers.

Many lab suppliers also sell strontium salts, including strontium carbonate.

Preparation

This compound can be prepared from a metathesis reaction between a soluble strontium salt, such as strontium nitrate, and an alkali carbonate such as sodium carbonate. Strontium oxide or hydroxide left in air will slowly convert to the carbonate in the presence of carbon dioxide.

Projects

Handling

Safety

Strontium is nontoxic, however large amounts of strontium in the body may lead to strontium replacing calcium in the bones. It is not known whether this has detrimental health effects, since low amounts of strontium are relative harmless.

Storage

Should be stored in closed bottles.

Disposal

No special disposal is required, as it is non-toxic.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads