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Rb/Cs compound availability

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Limpet Chicken:
Anyone know of any OTC sources in the UK that use rubidium or cesium salts/hydroxides, I am in need of a source of both elements :D

Thanx all :)

jdurg:
RbOH and CsOH are INCREDIBLY strong bases.  Both of them will attack glass, CsOH moreso than the rubidium version.  I will also warn that they are very expensive and you will not be able to isolate the metals from their salts.  Both of them will react violently with the slightest hint of moisture in the air, and Cs will catch fire immediately if exposed to the atmosphere.  Unless you have a high quality chemistry lab at your disposal, you have almost no shot at isolating the metals.  (Now if you just want the metals, check out my link to Juergen Bauer's website in the links section.  He sells rubidium and cesium metal).

Limpet Chicken:
I know about the dangers of the hydroxides, I stand maybe little chance of isolating Rb or Cs, but i stand absolutely ZERO chance of ordering any, unless anyone knows of a UK supplier that takes solo card, because I have no other means of buying from a site unless it takes solo, and hardly ANY sites do >:(  

And besides, I am the type that would rather MAKE everything myself than just buy it ;D

Mitch:
You can get cesium in the UK from this distributor. http://www.element-collection.com/html/samples.html

Tell them The Chemical Forums sent ya.

jdurg:
Another thing I have to reiterate for the sake of safety is the intense reactivity of Rb and Cs.  I cannot stress enough just how violently reactive these metals are.  Sodium and Potassium, which I'm sure you've seen react, look like nothing compared to Rb and Cs.  Both of them will violently explode upon contact with water, liberating and igniting the hydrogen gas, spraying very caustic hydroxides all over the place, and shattering whatever container the reaction is performed in.  Even the moisture and oxygen in the air are enough to set them off and cause them to catch fire and explode.  I just want to be sure that you know what you're getting into.  It's fantastic that you have such a strong interest in chemistry, but we can't afford to have someone like you get hurt because of a little bit of overzealousness.   ;D

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