Plutonium trihydride

Plutonium trihydride is an compound of plutonium and hydrogen with the chemical formula PuH₃.^[1][2][3]

Plutonium trihydride

Names
IUPAC name Plutonium trihydride
Other names Plutonium(III) hydride
Identifiers
CAS Number	15457-77-9 N
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
InChI InChI=1S/Pu.3H Key: MXUSSOOZHGQFGP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES [PuH3]
Properties
Chemical formula	PuH3
Molar mass	247 g·mol−1
Appearance	grey crystals
Density	9610 kg/m3
Melting point	327 °C (621 °F; 600 K)
Solubility in water	soluble
Related compounds
Other cations	Americium trihydride Uranium trihydride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Synthesis

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

Plutonium trihydride forms grey crystals of hexagonal crystal structure^[5][6], space group P6₃/mmc.

Chemical properties

When heated in an ammonia atmosphere, it forms a plutonium nitride:^[7]

PuH₃ + NH₃ → PuN + 3H₂

It reacts with air:^[8]

PuH₃ + O₂ + N₂ → Pu₂O₃ + PuN + H₂