Bismuth hydroxide

Bismuth hydroxide (Bi(OH)
₃) is a non-fully characterised chemical compound of bismuth. It is produced as white flakes when alkali is added to a solution of a bismuth salt and is usually described as bismuth oxide hydrate^[1] or bismuth hydrate.^[2] Upon heating to 400°C, bismuth hydroxide decomposes to bismuth(III) oxide.^[3]

Bismuth hydroxide

Names
Other names Bismuth oxide hydrate Bismuth hydrate
Identifiers
CAS Number	10361-43-0 N
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	8013784
ECHA InfoCard	100.030.706
EC Number	233-790-2
PubChem CID	9838064
UNII	B1818YPL67
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID1065053
InChI InChI=1S/Bi.3H2O/h;3*1H2/q+3;;;/p-3 Key: TZSXPYWRDWEXHG-UHFFFAOYSA-K
SMILES [OH-].[OH-].[OH-].[Bi+3]
Properties
Chemical formula	BiH3O3
Molar mass	260.001 g·mol−1
Appearance	yellowish-white powder
Density	4.96 g/cm3
Solubility in water	insoluble
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H302, H315, H319, H335, H413
Precautionary statements	P261, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301+P312, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P321, P330, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362, P403+P233, P405, P501
Related compounds
Other cations	Boric acid Scandium(III) hydroxide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Uses

Bismuth hydrate is a component used in milk of bismuth^[4] which is used in gastrointestinal disorders as a protective agent.^[5] Aqueous ammonia reacts with bismuth(III) ions to precipitate white bismuth hydroxide.^[6]

It is used as an absorbent, and in the hydrolysis of ribonucleic acid. It is also used in the isolation of plutonium from irradiated uranium.