Caesium chloride 2067447 219342413 2008-06-14T19:45:46Z Axiosaurus 3399137 /* References */ corrected category {{Chembox new | Name = Cesium chloride | ImageFile = Caesium chloride.jpg <!-- | ImageSize = 150px --> | ImageName = Cesium chloride | ImageFile1 = Caesium-chloride-3D-ionic.png <!-- | ImageSize1 = 150px --> | ImageName1 = Cesium chloride | OtherNames = Cesium chloride | Section1 = {{Chembox Identifiers | CASNo = 7647-17-8 | EINECS = 231-600-2 }} | Section2 = {{Chembox Properties | Formula = CsCl | MolarMass = 168.36 g/mol | Appearance = white solid | Density = 3.99 g/cm³, solid | Solubility = 162 g/100 ml (1 °C) | MeltingPt = 645 °C | BoilingPt = 1295 °C }} | Section3 = {{Chembox Structure | Coordination = simple cubic | CrystalStruct = [[Cesium chloride#Crystal structure|''see text'']] }} | Section8 = {{Chembox Related | OtherAnions = [[Cesium fluoride]]<br />[[Cesium bromide]]<br />[[Cesium iodide]] | OtherCations = [[Potassium chloride]]<br />[[Rubidium chloride]] }} }} '''Cesium chloride''' is the [[chemical compound]] with the formula [[Caesium|Cs]][[Chlorine|Cl]]. This colorless solid is an important source of cesium ions in a variety of applications. CsCl is also well known as a [[#Crystal structure|structural type]]. ==Preparation== Cesium chloride can be prepared by the reaction of [[cesium hydroxide]] or [[cesium carbonate]] with [[hydrochloric acid]]: the resulting salt is purified by [[recrystallization]]. ==Crystal structure== [[Image:CsCl crystal.png|100px|left|Cesium chloride crystal structure]] The cesium chloride structure is composed of interlocking simple cubic lattices of anions and cations. It is the case that in a cubic 1:1 solid where one atom type is much larger than the other that the cesium chloride type lattice is obtained, it can be thought of as a combination of [[basketball]]s and [[golf]] balls packed in a cubic manner with the [[golf ball]]s in the gaps between the basketballs. If the two atom types are similar in size (imagine [[field hockey]] balls packed with [[tennis]] balls) then in the cubic lattice the structure will be like that of [[sodium chloride]]. ==Uses== Cesium chloride is used in the preparation of electrically conducting [[glass]]es.<ref>Tver'yanovich, Y. S. ''et al.'' (1998). ''Glass Phys. Chem.'', '''24''', 446.</ref> [[Radioisotope]]s of cesium chloride are used in [[nuclear medicine]], including treatment of [[cancer]]. In the production of [[radioactive]] sources it is normal to choose a chemical form of the radioisotope which will not be dispersed with ease in the environment as a result of an accident where the source is smashed open. For instance, [[radiothermal]] generators (RTGs) often use [[strontium titanate]] because it is insoluble in water. But for [[teletherapy]] sources, the radioactive density (Ci in a given volume) needs to be very high. As a result it is not possible with any of the insoluble caesium compounds to create the source. It is normal to use a thimble-shaped can of [[radioactive]] cesium chloride to provide the active source in a teletherapy type radiotherapy unit. In Brazil, such a source was stolen by [[scrap metal]] workers from a disused [[radiotherapy]] [[clinic]], and serious injuries and deaths occurred as a result of external gamma exposure and internal exposure (the source was smashed open, releasing the water soluble cesium chloride). See the [[Goiânia accident]] for further details. Cesium chloride is also widely used in the [[centrifugation]] of [[DNA]], in a technique known as [[isopycnic centrifugation]]. In this method, a caesium chloride solution is centrifuged, allowing centrifugal and diffusive forces to establish a concentration gradient (and thus a density gradient) within the centrifuge tube. When DNA is centrifuged in this solution, fragments of DNA will migrate down the tube until they reach a zone where the density of the DNA is equal to the density of the solution. At this point, the DNA will stop migrating. This allows separation of DNA of different densities (e.g. DNA fragments with differing A-T or G-C content). Cesium chloride (non-radioactive) is also promoted as an alternative cancer therapy.<ref>[http://www.cancertutor.com/Cancer/Alkaline.html The Cesium Chloride / DMSO Protocol For Treating Cancer<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.healthrecipes.com/cesium_chloride.htm Cesium Chloride Alternative Cancer Therapy<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.cs.rochester.edu/users/faculty/nelson/cesium/cesium_therapy.html Cesium Cancer Therapy<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.cs.rochester.edu/users/faculty/nelson/cesium/cesium_faq.html Cesium Faq<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> These claims are not supported by scientific evidence. ==References== <div class="references-small"><references/></div> [[Category:Caesium compounds]] [[Category:Chlorides]] [[Category:Metal halides]] [[ar:كلوريد سيزيوم]] [[de:Caesiumchlorid]] [[es:Cloruro de cesio]] [[gl:Cloruro de cesio]] [[it:Cloruro di cesio]] [[ja:塩化セシウム]] [[pl:Chlorek cezu]] [[pt:Cloreto de césio]] [[zh:氯化铯]]