Cs3As

Cs3As is an inorganic compound composed of cesium cations (Cs+) and arsenide anions (As3-), giving the overall formula Cs3As. It belongs to the broader class of alkali metal pnictides, which have the general formula A3Pn and are studied for their ionic bonding and potential electronic properties.

The precise crystal structure of Cs3As has been reported for related cesium pnictides, and is typically described as a three-to-one cation-to-anion lattice. Synthesis is usually performed by direct combination of elemental cesium and arsenic at elevated temperatures under inert atmosphere, or by solid-state reaction of Cs-containing arsenide precursors.

Cs3As forms as a crystalline solid that is sensitive to air and moisture. Like other alkali pnictides, it is reactive with ambient reagents and should be handled under inert or strictly dry conditions. The material's properties are primarily of interest for fundamental inorganic and solid-state chemistry studies.

Applications are mainly in research contexts, including investigations into cesium pnictides as precursors for other materials or for fundamental studies of ionic bonding in heavy-alkali systems. Safety: arsenic compounds are toxic; handle Cs3As with appropriate protective equipment and under controlled atmosphere, and store away from moisture. Cesium metal is highly reactive with water and air.