URANYL NITRATE

Chemical properties

Yellow, rhombic crystals. Soluble in water, alcohol, and ether.

Physical properties

The hexahydrate is a yellow crystalline solid; orthogonal crystals; density 2.81 g/cm³; hygroscopic; melts at 60°C; decomposes at 118°C; very soluble in water; soluble in alcohol and ether.

The Uses of URANYL NITRATE

Uranyl nitrate is a yellow poisonous crystal made by dissolving uranic oxide in nitric acid. It is soluble in water, alcohol, and ether. First suggested by C. J. Burnett in 1855, a uranyl nitrate printing process was patented by Niépce de St. Victor in 1858. The paper was floated on a uranyl nitrate solution and dried in the dark. The paper was exposed under a negative in the sun until a faint image appeared. The image was developed to completion by floating the paper on a solution of silver nitrate or gold chloride followed by washing. A process patented in 1864 by Jacob Wothly called for adding uranyl nitrate and silver to collodion, which was then applied to paper. The Wothlytype was a printing-out process.
Uranyl nitrate was used in printing-out emulsions and with potassium ferricyanide for toning prints and intensifying negatives. It was also used with silver nitrate for making uranium/ silver gaslight papers.

The Uses of URANYL NITRATE

Source of uranium dioxide, extraction of uranium into nonaqueous solvents.

Preparation

Uranyl nitrate is obtained as an intermediate in recovering uranium from its minerals. The compound can be prepared by reacting triuranium octaoxide, U₃O₈, with nitric acid. It is separated and purified by extraction with ether.

Hazard

Strong oxidizer. Corrosive and irritating.

Safety Profile

Poison by inhalation. Moderately toxic by ingestion. Human mutation data reported. A corrosive irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. A radioactive material. A powerful explosive and oxibzer. Incompatible with cellulose. Ether solutions in sunlight may explode. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx. See also URANYL NITRATE HEXAHYDRATE and URANIUM.