Plutonium trioxide is an inorganic compound of plutonium and oxygen with the chemical formula . This is a high-order oxide of plutonium where the metal is in the +6 oxidation state.
Theoretical calculations on molecular actinide trioxides predict that while molecular plutonium trioxide should attain the +6 oxidation state for plutonium, the molecular trioxides of the heavier actinides should be regarded as having the actinide in the +5 oxidation state
Synthesis Initially, plutonium(III) hydroxide is obtained, which then transforms into plutonium(IV) hydroxide in air, and then oxygen containing ozone is passed through the suspension:
Physical properties Plutonium trioxide forms hydrates of variable composition , where x = 0.8–1, which are golden-red crystals. Not isolated in the anhydrous state: it decomposes when attempted to separate the water.
Chemical properties Decomposes when heated:
References