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Strontium hydroxide

Strontium hydroxide

General
Molecular formula	Sr(OH)₂
Molar mass	121.63468 g·mol^–1 (anhydrous) 139.64996 g·mol^–1 (monohydrate) 265.75692 g·mol^–1 (octahydrate)
Appearance	prismatic colourless crystals
CAS number	[18480-07-4] (anhydrous)
Properties
Density (solid)	3.63 g·cm^–3 (anhydrous)
Solubility in water	insoluble
Melting point	375°C (anhydrous)
Boiling point
Basicity (pK_b)	–2.19
Structure
Coordination geometry	?
Crystal structure	?
Hazards
MSDS	External MSDS
EU classification	Harmful (Xn)
NFPA 704
R-phrases	R22 R36 R37 R38
S-phrases
Flash point
RTECS number
Supplementary data page
Structure and properties	n, ε_r, etc.
Thermodynamic data	Phase behaviour Solid, liquid, gas
Spectral data	UV, IR, NMR, MS
Related compounds
Other anions	Strontium oxide Strontium peroxide
Other cations	Calcium hydroxide Barium hydroxide
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Strontium hydroxide, Sr(OH)₂, is a caustic alkali composed of one strontium ion and two hydroxide ions. It is synthesized by combining a strontium salt with a strong base. Sr(OH)₂ exists in anhydrous, monohydrate, or octahydrate form.

Additional recommended knowledge

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Preparation

Because Sr(OH)₂ is very slightly soluble in water, its preparation can be easily carried out by the addition of a strong base such as NaOH or KOH, drop by drop to a solution of any strontium salt, most commonly Sr(NO₃)₂ (strontium nitrate). The Sr(OH)₂ will precipitate out as a fine white powder. From here, the solution is filtered, and the Sr(OH)₂ is washed with cold water and dried.^[1]

Applications

Strontium hydroxide is used chiefly in the refining of beet sugar and as a stabilizer in plastic. It may be used as a source of strontium ions when the chlorine from strontium chloride is undesirable. Strontium hydroxide absorbs carbon dioxide from the air to form strontium carbonate.