Ruthenium(VIII) Tetroxide

Basic Information of Ruthenium(VIII) Tetroxide

CAS No.	20427-56-9
EC No.	243-813-8
Chemical Formula	RuO₄
Molecular Weight	165.07 g/mol
Appearance	Yellow to orange-red volatile crystals (solid); yellow-orange solution in stabilized form
Odor	Pungent, ozone-like
Melting point	25.5 °C
Boiling point	40 °C (sublimes readily)
Density	3.29 g/cm³ (solid); solution density varies
Solubility	Slightly soluble in water (forms unstable solutions); highly soluble in CCl₄, chloroform, acetone
Nature (hazards)	Highly toxic and corrosive, causes severe skin burns and eye damage, fatal if inhaled or swallowed, strong oxidizer, explosive risk when dry, very toxic to aquatic life
RIDADR	UN 3139, Oxidizing solid, n.o.s. (Ruthenium tetroxide), Class 5.1, Packing Group I (solid); UN 3085 for stabilized solutions
Chemical Structure

Primary Applications of Ruthenium(VIII) Tetroxide

Ruthenium(VIII) Tetroxide is a powerful and selective oxidant, renowned for its unique ability to cleave and functionalize carbon-carbon double bonds and other groups in complex organic molecules.

1. Alkene Oxidative Cleavage
   Efficiently cleaves carbon-carbon double bonds to carbonyl compounds (aldehydes from terminal alkenes, ketones from internal), providing a mild alternative to ozonolysis in natural product and pharmaceutical synthesis.

2. Syn-Dihydroxylation of Alkenes
   Catalyzes stereospecific cis-dihydroxylation of olefins using catalytic RuO₄ with co-oxidants, offering excellent diastereocontrol in carbohydrate and steroid chemistry.

3. Alcohol & Aldehyde Oxidation
   Selectively oxidizes primary alcohols to aldehydes or carboxylic acids and secondary alcohols to ketones, often under catalytic conditions with minimal over-oxidation.

4. C–H Bond Functionalization & Oxidation
   Enables selective oxidation of activated C–H bonds in ethers, amines, and hydrocarbons, providing efficient routes to oxygenated derivatives in fine chemical synthesis.

5. Analytical & Structural Chemistry
   Used as a staining agent in electron microscopy for biological samples and as an oxidant in analytical procedures requiring high selectivity and mild conditions.

6. Pharmaceutical & Natural Product Synthesis
   Applied in late-stage oxidation steps and key degradative studies of complex molecules, offering high functional group compatibility and stereochemical control.

• Stabilized & Safe Formulations
  Carefully prepared stabilized solutions or solid with controlled volatility and reduced hazards, ensuring safer handling while maintaining full oxidative potency.

• Precise Ruthenium Content Control
  Accurate assay and low impurity profiles guarantee consistent Ru concentration and reproducible oxidative performance across batches.

• Secure Precious Metal Sourcing
  Transparent, responsible ruthenium procurement with inventory buffering to provide supply stability and competitive pricing.

• Technical Application Support
  Dedicated specialists offer guidance on safe handling, co-oxidant selection, reaction optimization, and scale-up for maximum selectivity and yield.

• Regulatory & Sustainability Compliance
  Full COA, REACH, RoHS, SDS documentation and ruthenium recycling programs aligned with global standards and ESG commitments.

Hazards Classification

• GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity, Oral (Category 2); Acute Toxicity, Inhalation (Category 1); Skin Corrosion (Category 1A); Serious Eye Damage (Category 1); Oxidizing Solids (Category 1); Aquatic Acute (Category 1); Aquatic Chronic (Category 1)

• Hazard Statements: H300 + H330: Fatal if swallowed or if inhaled; H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; H271: May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidizer; H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

• UN Number: UN 3139 (solid); UN 3085 (solutions)

• Hazard Class: 5.1 (Oxidizing substances) + 6.1 (Toxic) + 8 (Corrosive)

• Packing Group: I