Characteristic

 

Strontium chloride (SrCl₂) is a salt of strontium and chloride. It is a typical salt, forming neutral aqueous solutions. Like all compounds of Sr, this salt emits a bright red colour in a flame.

Chemical formula: SrCl₂

Molar mass: 158.53 g/mol 

Appearance: White crystalline solid

Density 3.052 g/cm³

Melting point: 874 °C (1,605 °F; 1,147 K) 

Boiling point: 1,250 °C (2,280 °F; 1,520 K) 

Solubility in water: anhydrous: 53.8 g/100 mL (20 °C)

hexahydrate: 106 g/100 mL (0 °C); 206 g/100 mL (40 °C)

Solubility: ethanol: very slightly soluble

acetone: very slightly soluble

ammonia: insoluble

Magnetic susceptibility (χ): −63.0•10⁻⁶ cm³/mol

Refractive index (nD):1.650

 

Application

 

Strontium chloride is used as a source of redness in fireworks. Strontium chloride is often used as a red coloring agent in pyrotechnics. It is employed in small quantities in glass-making and metallurgy. The radioactive isotope strontium-89, used for the treatment of bone cancer, is usually administered in the form of strontium chloride. Sea water aquaria require small amounts of strontium chloride, which is consumed in the production of the exoskeletons of certain plankton. SrCl2 is useful in reducing tooth sensitivity by forming a barrier over microscopic tubules in the dentin containing nerve endings that have become exposed by gum recession. strontium chloride exposure induces parthenogenetic activation of oocytes[6] which is used in developmental biological research.