Osmium oxydiammine dihydroxide


Osmium oxydiammine dihydroxide is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula. It exists as a brown powder that is insoluble in water.

Synthesis

The compound was first produced by Berzelius by reducing osmium tetroxide with an excess of ammonia at 50°C.
It can also be produced by treating hexachloroosmates with ammonia.

Properties

Osmium oxydiammine dihydroxide decomposes explosively when heated in air, releasing nitrogen gas.
When heated to boiling in concentrated alkali hydroxide solutions, osmium oxydiammine dihydroxide releases ammonia and decomposes to osmium dioxide. It dissolves in acids.