Radium oxide

Radium oxide is an inorganic compound of radium and oxygen with the chemical formula RaO.^[1][2][3]

Radium oxide

Identifiers
CAS Number	12143-02-1 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
InChI InChI=1S/O.Ra/q-2;+2 Key: PLEZGBHMSVTPPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES [Ra+2].[O-2]
Properties
Chemical formula	RaO
Molar mass	242 g/mol
Appearance	solid
Solubility in water	reacts with water
Related compounds
Related compounds	Barium oxide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Synthesis

The compound can be obtained by heating metallic radium in air:^[4]

2Ra + O₂ → 2RaO

This reaction also produces radium nitride and possibly radium peroxide:

3Ra + N₂ → Ra₃N₂

Ra + O₂ → RaO₂

Chemical properties

Radium oxide can react with water to form radium hydroxide:

RaO + H₂O → Ra(OH)₂

Uses

It is often used as a precursor to create other radium compounds that are used in radiation therapy.