| Synonym: | Heavy oxygen water; Oxygen 18 water |
| Labeled CAS #: | 14314-42-2 |
| Unlabeled CAS #: | 7732-18-5 |
| Molecular Formula: | H218O |
| Molecular Weight: | 20.02 |
| Heavy oxygen water, also known as oxygen-18 water (H₂¹⁸O), is a form of water where the oxygen atom is the isotope oxygen-18 (¹⁸O) instead of the more common oxygen-16 (¹⁶O). This isotopic variation has unique properties and applications, particularly in scientific research. Below is a review of heavy oxygen water, covering its properties, uses, and significance. Properties of Heavy Oxygen Water 1. Isotopic Composition: Heavy oxygen water contains oxygen-18, a stable and non-radioactive isotope of oxygen. It is heavier than regular water due to the extra neutrons in the oxygen atom. 2. Physical Properties: The presence of ¹⁸O slightly increases the density and boiling point of water compared to regular water (H₂¹⁶O). 3. Chemical Stability: Heavy oxygen water is chemically stable and behaves similarly to regular water in most reactions, making it useful as a tracer in studies. Applications of Heavy Oxygen Water 1. Scientific Research: (1). Isotopic Labeling: Heavy oxygen water is widely used as a tracer in metabolic and environmental studies. For example, it helps track the movement of water in ecosystems or the metabolic pathways in biological systems. (2). Paleoclimatology: Scientists use ¹⁸O to study past climate conditions by analyzing its ratio to ¹⁶O in ice cores, ocean sediments, and fossils. (3). Positron Emission Tomography (PET): Enriched water is used as a precursor to produce fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), a radioactive tracer used in PET scans to visualize metabolic processes in the body 2. Industrial Applications: (1). Heavy oxygen water is used in the production of radioactive isotopes for medical imaging and cancer treatment. (2). It is also employed in the synthesis of labeled compounds for research and development. 3. Environmental Studies: Heavy oxygen water helps researchers understand water cycles, including evaporation, precipitation, and groundwater movement, by tracing the isotopic signature of water molecules. Advantages of Heavy Oxygen Water 1. Non-Radioactive: Unlike some other isotopic tracers, oxygen-18 is stable and non-radioactive, making it safe for use in biological and environmental studies. 2. High Precision: Its unique isotopic signature allows for precise tracking and measurement in complex systems. 3. Versatility: It is applicable across multiple fields, including chemistry, biology, geology, and climate science. Heavy oxygen water is a valuable tool in scientific research and industrial applications due to its unique isotopic properties. While its high cost and specialized use limit its widespread adoption, it plays a critical role in advancing our understanding of metabolic processes, environmental systems, and climate history. Its non-radioactive nature and precision make it an indispensable resource in fields requiring isotopic tracing and analysis. References: 1. Oxygen-18 2. Water with Heavy Oxygen |
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