Caesium nitrate

Caesium nitrate
Identifiers
InChI	InChI=1/Cs.NO3/c;2-1(3)4/q+1;-1
CAS number	[7789-18-6]
EC number	232-146-8
UN number	1451
ChemSpider	56425
Properties
Chemical formula	CsNO3
Molar mass	194.91 g/mol
Appearance	white solid
Density	3.685 g/cm3
Melting point	414 ºC
Boiling point	decomp., see text
Solubility in water	9.16 g/100 ml (0 ºC) 196.8 g/100 ml (100 ºC)
Solubility in acetone	soluble
Solubility in ethanol	slightly soluble
Hazards
EU index number	not listed
GHS pictograms
GHS signal word	WARNING
GHS hazard statements	H272
GHS precautionary statements	P210, P220, P221, P280, P370+378, P501
Flash point	non-flammable
Related compounds
Other anions	Caesium nitrite
Other cations	Lithium nitrate Sodium nitrate Potassium nitrate Rubidium nitrate
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)

Caesium nitrate is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CsNO₃. It is used in pyrotechnic compositions, as a colorant and an oxidizer, e.g. in decoys and illumination flares. The caesium emissions are chiefly due to two powerful spectral lines at 852.113 nm and 894.347 nm.

Caesium nitrate prisms are used in infrared spectroscopy, in x-ray phosphors, and in scintillation counters. It is also used in making optical glasses and lenses.

As with other alkali metal nitrates, caesium nitrate decomposes on heating to give caesium nitrite:

CsNO₃ → CsNO₂ + ½O₂

Caesium also forms two unusual acid nitrates, which can be described as CsNO₃·HNO₃ and CsNO₃·2HNO₃ (melting points 100 ºC and 36–38 ºC respectively).

External links

• Cesium Compounds: Nuclear Power Plant Emissions
• HSNO Chemical Classification Information Database