RbNO3

Rubidium nitrate, with the chemical formula RbNO3, is an inorganic salt composed of rubidium ions and nitrate. It forms a white, crystalline solid that is readily soluble in water. As a nitrate, it is an oxidizer and should be handled with care around fuels and reducing materials. It does not burn on its own but can intensify combustion of organic substances.

It is typically prepared by neutralizing rubidium hydroxide or rubidium carbonate with nitric acid: RbOH + HNO3 -> RbNO3 + H2O; or Rb2CO3 + 2 HNO3 -> 2 RbNO3 + CO2 + H2O. Industrial routes may involve processing of rubidium-containing minerals, but rubidium nitrate is mainly produced for laboratory use and specialist pyrotechnic applications.

At elevated temperatures, RbNO3 thermally decomposes to rubidium nitrite (RbNO2) and oxygen via 2 RbNO3 → 2 RbNO2 + O2. Decomposition begins at several hundred degrees Celsius and can proceed more rapidly in the presence of heat or catalytic materials.

Uses and safety: In pyrotechnics, rubidium nitrate serves as an oxidizer in compositions to produce red or purplish flame, and it is also used as a laboratory reagent to supply rubidium ions. Store in a cool, dry place away from fuels and organic materials. It is a strong oxidizer; contact with reducing agents or organic materials can ignite. Prolonged exposure may irritate skin or eyes, and aqueous solutions pose environmental risks to aquatic life.