Sodium polonide is a radioactive chemical compound with the formula Na2Po. This salt is a polonide, a set of very chemically stable compounds of polonium.[2][3] Due to the difference in electronegativity (ΔEN) between sodium and polonium (≈ 1.1 under the Pauling system) and the slight non-metallic character of polonium, it is intermediate between intermetallic phases and ionic compounds.

Sodium polonide

Crystal structure of sodium polonide
__ Na+     __ Po2−
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Sodium polonide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
  • InChI=1S/2Na.Po/q2*+1;-2
  • [Na+].[Na+].[Po-2]
Properties
Na2Po
Molar mass 254.96 g/mol
Appearance greyish[1]
Related compounds
Other anions
Other cations
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Production

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This salt may be produced from the reaction between aqueous polonium hydride and sodium metal:[2][3]

H2Po + 2 Na → Na2Po + H2

This method of synthesis is hampered by the chemical instability of hydrogen polonide.

Sodium polonide may also be produced by heating sodium and polonium together at 300–400 °C.[1]

Crystal structure

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Like lithium polonide and potassium polonide, sodium polonide has the antifluorite structure.[2][3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Bagnall, K. W. (1962). "The Chemistry of Polonium". Advances in Inorganic Chemistry and Radiochemistry. New York: Academic Press. pp. 197–230. ISBN 9780120236046. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1984). Chemistry of the Elements. Oxford: Pergamon Press. p. 899. ISBN 978-0-08-022057-4.
  3. ^ a b c Moyer, Harvey V. (1956), "Chemical Properties of Polonium", in Moyer, Harvey V. (ed.), Polonium, Oak Ridge, Tenn.: United States Atomic Energy Commission, pp. 33–96, doi:10.2172/4367751, TID-5221.