Characteristic

Caesium carbonate or cesium carbonate is a white crystalline solid compound. Caesium carbonate has a high solubility in polar solvents such as water, alcohol and DMF. Its solubility is higher in organic solvents compared to other carbonates like potassium and sodium carbonates, although it remains quite insoluble in other organic solvents such as toluene, p-xylene, and chlorobenzene. This compound is used in organic synthesis as a base. It also appears to have applications in energy conversion.

Chemical formula:Cs₂CO₃

Molar mass:325.82 g/mol

Appearance:white powder

Density:4.072 g/cm³

Melting point:610 °C (1,130 °F; 883 K) (decomposes)

Solubility in water:2605 g/L (15 °C)

Solubility in ethanol:110 g/L

Solubility in dimethylformamide:119.6 g/L

Solubility in dimethyl sulfoxide:361.7 g/L

Solubility in sulfolane:394.2 g/L

Solubility in methylpyrrolidone:723.3 g/L

Magnetic susceptibility (χ):-103.6·10−6 cm³/mol

Application

Cesium carbonate is the precursor for other cesium compounds. It acts as a base in sensitive organic reactions. Suzuki, Heck and Sonogashira synthesis are some of the important reactions involving cesium carbonate. It finds use in solar cells as it increases the power conversion efficiency of cells through the transfer of electrons. It is also used in the production of special optical glasses, petroleum catalytic additives, special ceramics, and in sulfuric acid industry. It is useful in the N-alkylation (of sulfonamides, β-lactams, indoles, heterocycles, and several sensitive nitrogen compounds), carbamination of amines, carbonylation of alcohols, and aerobic oxidation of alcohols into carbonyl compounds without over oxidations.