Monograph

pubs.acs.org/doi/book/10.1021/acsreagents

Osmium Tetroxide
(Osmic Acid)
Part 4, Monographs for Reagent Chemicals: General Descriptions, Specifications, and Tests
eISBN: 9780841230460
Tom Tyner Chair, ACS Committee on Analytical Reagents
James Francis Secretary, ACS Committee on Analytical Reagents

ABSTRACT
This monograph for Osmium Tetroxide provides, in addition to common physical constants, a general description
including typical appearance, applications, change in state (approximate), and aqueous solubility. The monograph also
details the following specifications and corresponding tests for verifying that a substance meets ACS Reagent Grade
specifications including: Clarity of Solution, Assay, Identification. Special caution is advised for the handling or testing
of this substance.

OsO4 Formula Wt 254.23 CAS No. 20816-12-0

C a u t i o n : Osmium tetroxide vapors are poisonous and highly irritating to the eyes and respiratory membranes. Use
only in a well-ventilated fume hood.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Typical appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pale yellow solid
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . catalyst in redox titrations
Change in state (approximate) . . . . . . . . . . . . melting point, 41 °C
Aqueous solubility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.24 g in 100 g at 25 °C

SPECIFICATIONS
Assay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ≥98.0% OsO4
Clarity of solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Passes test
Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Passes test

DOI:10.1021/acsreagents.4250
© 2017 American Chemical Society A ACS Reagent Chemicals, Part 4
ACS Reagent Chemicals Monograph

pubs.acs.org/doi/book/10.1021/acsreagents

TESTS
Clarity of Solution
Accurately weigh about 0.20 g, and add to 5 mL of reagent alcohol. The resulting solution is clear and not more than slightly
yellow, and no appreciable amount of insoluble residue remains. Reserve the solution for the assay test.

Assay and Identification

(Assay by iodometry). To the solution from the clarity of solution test, add 5–7 mL of 1 N sodium hydroxide volumetric
solution in a glass-stoppered flask. A dark red precipitate is produced (identification). Add 3 g of potassium iodide, mix to
dissolve, slowly add 40 mL of 25% sulfuric acid, stopper, and let stand in a dark place for 20 min. Titrate the liberated iodine
with 0.1 N sodium thiosulfate volumetric solution, using starch indicator solution as an external indicator (the reduced
osmium solution is green, and the end point may be difficult to determine with an internal indicator). Correct for a blank.
One milliliter of 0.1 N sodium thiosulfate corresponds to 0.006355 g of OsO4.

DOI:10.1021/acsreagents.4250
© 2017 American Chemical Society B ACS Reagent Chemicals, Part 4