Plutonium trihydride
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Plutonium trihydride
| |
| Other names
Plutonium(III) hydride
| |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
|
|
| |
| |
| Properties | |
| PuH3 | |
| Molar mass | 247 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | grey crystals |
| Density | 9610 kg/m3 |
| Melting point | 327 °C (621 °F; 600 K) |
| soluble | |
| Related compounds | |
Other cations
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|
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
| |
Plutonium trihydride is an compound of plutonium and hydrogen with the chemical formula PuH3.[1][2][3]
Synthesis
[edit]Plutonium reacts noticeably with hydrogen at room temperature and rapidly when heated:[4]
- 2Pu + 3H2 → 2PuH3
Also, heating of plutonium dihydride with hydrogen:
- 2PuH2 + H2 → 2PuH3
Physical properties
[edit]Plutonium trihydride forms grey crystals of hexagonal crystal structure[5][6], space group P63/mmc.
The compound is very toxic by radiotoxicity and spontaneously flammable in air. It ignites on contact with water. Contamination dangerous due to radiation and toxic hazards. When heated to decomposition it emits extremely toxic and radioactive fumes of Pu.[7]
Chemical properties
[edit]When heated in an ammonia atmosphere, it forms a plutonium nitride:[8]
- PuH3 + NH3 → PuN + 3H2
It reacts with air:[9]
- PuH3 + O2 + N2 → Pu2O3 + PuN + H2
References
[edit]- ^ "WebElements Periodic Table » Plutonium » plutonium trihydride". winter.group.shef.ac.uk. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Balasubramanian, K.; Felter, Thomas E.; Anklam, Thomas; Trelenberg, Thomas W.; McLean, William (11 October 2007). "Atomistic level relativistic quantum modelling of plutonium hydrogen reaction". Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 444–445: 447–452. doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2006.11.068. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Bailar, J. C. (15 October 2013). Comprehensive Inorganic Chemistry. Elsevier. p. 141. ISBN 978-1-4832-8313-5. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Peterson, Sigfred (1955). Fundamental Chemistry for Nuclear Reactor Engineers. U. S. Atomic Energy Commission. p. 80. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Donnay, Joseph Désiré Hubert (1963). Crystal Data; Determinative Tables. American Crystallographic Association. p. 766. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Donnay, Joseph Désiré Hubert (1973). Crystal Data: Inorganic compounds. National Bureau of Standards. p. 221. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ "Plutonium hydride (PuH3)". guidechem.com. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Ahrland, S.; Bagnall, K. W.; Brown, D. (7 June 2016). The Chemistry of the Actinides: Comprehensive Inorganic Chemistry. Elsevier. p. 150. ISBN 978-1-4831-5934-8. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Haschke, John M.; Dinh, Long N. (25 March 2017). "Chemistry and kinetics of the pyrophoric plutonium hydride-air reaction". Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 698: 44–48. doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2016.12.162. ISSN 0925-8388. Retrieved 5 October 2025.