Physical Properties
Osmium tetroxide forms (monoclinic crystals). It has a characteristic acrid chlorine-like odor. The element name osmium is derived from osme, Greek for odor. OsO4 is volatile: it sublimes at room temperature. It is soluble in a wide range of organic solvents. It is also moderately soluble in water, with which it reacts reversibly to form osmic acid (see below). Pure osmium tetroxide is probably colourless and it has been suggested that its yellow hue is due to osmium dioxide (OsO2) impurities. The Osmium tetroxide molecule is tetrahedral and therefore non-polar. This nonpolarity helps OsO4 penetrate charged cell membranes. OsO4 is 518 times more soluble in carbon tetrachloride than in water.
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