My watch list
my.bionity.com  
Login  

Uranyl acetate



Uranyl acetate
IUPAC name Uranium bis(acetato)-O)dioxo-dihydrate
Other names Uranium acetate
Identifiers
CAS number [541-09-3]
Properties
Molecular formula (UO2(CH3COO)2·2H2O)
Molar mass 424.15
Solubility in other solvents 7.694g/100gH2O
Hazards
MSDS External MSDS
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state
(at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox disclaimer and references

Uranyl acetate (UO2(CH3COO)2·2H2O) is a yellow free-flowing crystalline solid of yellow rhombic crystals with a slight acetic odor.

It is used as a negative stain in electron microscopy. In fact, most procedures in electron microscopy for biology require the use of uranyl acetate. 1% and 2% uranyl acetate solutions are used as an indicator, and a titrant in stronger concentrations in analytical chemistry, as it forms an insoluble salt with sodium (the vast majority of sodium salts are water-soluble). Uranyl acetate solutions show evidence of being sensitive to light, especially UV and will precipitate if exposed.

Commercial preparations of uranyl acetate are made from depleted uranium and have a typical radioactivity of 0.37 - 0.51 µCi/g. This mild radioactivity level is not sufficient to be harmful while the material remains external to the body. However it is very toxic by ingestion and if inhaled as dust or by skin contact if skin is cut or abraded and there is a danger of cumulative effects from long term exposure.

References


     
    This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Uranyl_acetate". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia.
    Your browser is not current. Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 does not support some functions on Chemie.DE