THALLIUM(III) OXIDE

Chemical properties

Thallium oxide is a solid, very dark brown and odourless chemical substance. Thallium oxide is stable under normal temperatures and pressures.
It is insoluble in water. Thallium oxide has been used to produce glasses with a high index of refraction.

The Uses of THALLIUM(III) OXIDE

Thallium(III) oxide is used in organic synthesis and as an analytical reagent

The Uses of THALLIUM(III) OXIDE

Analysis (testing for ozone), artificial gem, optical glass of high refractive index.

Production Methods

Thallium oxide is produced either by the chlorine-induced oxidation of thallous nitrate in an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution, followed by thallium reaction with oxygen, or from hydrogen peroxide and an alkaline thallium(I) solution ; or either form of thallous oxide oxidation. The oxide is an intermediate that can be formed during annealing or heating of semiconductors in air.

General Description

Brown powder. Insoluble in water.

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

A mixture of THALLIUM(III) OXIDE and antimony sulfide or sulfur explodes when ground in a mortar [Mellor 5:421 1946-47]. THALLIUM(III) OXIDE is decomposed by HCl with evolution of chlorine gas, and by H2SO4 with evolution of oxygen.

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion, intraperitoneal, and intravenous routes. Combustible by chemical reaction. Evolves O2 @ 875°C. Mixtures with sulfur orantimony trisulfide explode when ground. Hydrogen sulfide ignites and may explode weakly on contact with the oxide. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of T1. See also THALLIUM COMPOUNDS.