Strontium hydroxide octahydrate (Sr(OH)2•8H2O)-Powder

Characteristic

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.

Chemical formula:Sr(OH)₂

Molar mass:121.63 g/mol (anhydrous);139.65 g/mol (monohydrate); 265.76 g/mol (octahydrate)

Appearance:prismatic colourless crystals;deliquescent

Density:3.625 g/cm³ (anhydrous)

        1.90 g/cm3 (octahydrate)

Melting point:535 °C (995 °F; 808 K) (anhydrous, 375K for octahydrate)

Boiling point:710 °C (1,310 °F; 983 K) decomposes (anhydrous)

Solubility in water:0.41 g/100 mL (0 °C);1.77 g/100 mL (40 °C);21.83 g/100 mL (100 °C) 

Solubility:insoluble in acetone;soluble in acid, NH₄Cl

Basicity (pKb):0.3 (first OH^–), 0.83 (second OH^–)

Magnetic susceptibility (χ):−40.0·10−6 cm³/mol

Crystal structure:tetragonal (octahydrate)

Application

Strontium hydroxide octahydrate is used in the sugar industry for its purification, oil and paint industry to improve its drying properties and as an active ingredient in depilatory hair removal products. It is also used as a raw material for manufacturing of other products of strontium salts.