Characteristic

Caesium acetate or cesium acetate is an ionic caesium compound with the molecular formula CH₃CO₂Cs. It is often used in organic synthesis especially in Perkin synthesis: the formation of unsaturated cinnamic-type acids by the condensation of aromatic aldehydes with fatty acids.

Chemical formula：C₂H₃CsO₂

Molar mass：191.949 g/mol

Appearance：colourless, hygroscopic

Density：2.423 g/cm3, solid

Melting point：194 °C (381 °F; 467 K)

Boiling point：945 °C (1,733 °F; 1,218 K)

Solubility in water：945.1 g/100 g (−2.5 °C);1345.5 g/100 ml (88.5 °C)

Crystal structure：Primitve hexagonal

Application

Cesium acetate is used in organic synthesis especially in the Perkin reaction to prepare unsaturated cinnamic-type acids. It is used in petroleum drilling fluids as an alternative to cesium formate. In organometallic chemistry, it is an additive for metal-ctalyzed coupling reactions. It is also used in the inversion of stereo chemistry of secondary alcohols.