Calcium oxide [Chemical formula, Physical, Chemical Properties and Reactions]

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: February 3, 2024

Chemical formula of calcium oxide is CaO.

Physical Properties of Calcium Oxide (CaO):

Properties Details
AppearanceWhite, crystalline solid
Boiling PointDecomposes at high temperatures (above 2,572°C or 4,662°F)
Crystal StructureCubic
Density3.34 g/cm³
Electrical ConductivityInsulator (non-conductive)
Melting Point2,572°C (4,662°F)
OdorOdorless
SolubilityInsoluble in water
Specific Heat Capacity40.0 J/(mol·K)
State of MatterSolid
Thermal ConductivityLow

Chemical Properties of Calcium Oxide (CaO):

Properties Details
Acid-Base PropertiesStrong base; reacts with acids to form calcium salts
Chemical FormulaCaO
Chemical Reaction with WaterReacts vigorously with water to form calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂)
HygroscopicityAbsorbs moisture from the air, forming calcium hydroxide and becoming slaked
Oxidation StateCalcium exhibits an oxidation state of +2 in calcium oxide
ReactivityHighly reactive; reacts exothermically with acids and can cause burns
Reactivity with CO₂Reacts with carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the air to form calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)

Reaction Of Calcium Oxide with Alkali Metal

Alkali MetalChemical SymbolReaction with Calcium Oxide
LithiumLiCaO + 2Li → Li2O + Ca
SodiumNaCaO + 2Na → Na2O + Ca
PotassiumKCaO + 2K → K2O + Ca
RubidiumRbCaO + 2Rb → Rb2O + Ca
CesiumCsCaO + 2Cs → Cs2O + Ca

Reaction Of Calcium Oxide with Alkaline Earth Metal

Alkaline Earth MetalChemical SymbolReaction with Calcium Oxide
BerylliumBeNo reaction
MagnesiumMgCaO + Mg → MgO + Ca
CalciumCaNo reaction
StrontiumSrCaO + Sr → SrO + Ca
BariumBaCaO + Ba → BaO + Ca
RadiumRaCaO + Ra → RaO + Ca

Reaction Of Calcium Oxide with Transition Metal

Transition MetalChemical SymbolReaction with Calcium Oxide
ScandiumScNo reaction
TitaniumTiCaO + Ti → TiO2 + Ca
VanadiumVCaO + V → V2O5 + Ca
ChromiumCrCaO + Cr → Cr2O3 + Ca
ManganeseMnCaO + Mn → MnO + Ca
IronFeCaO + Fe → FeO + Ca
CobaltCoNo reaction
NickelNiCaO + Ni → NiO + Ca
CopperCuCaO + 2Cu → 2CuO + Ca
ZincZnCaO + Zn → ZnO + Ca
SilverAgCaO + 2Ag → Ag2O + Ca
GoldAuNo reaction
MercuryHgCaO + Hg → HgO + Ca

Reaction Of Calcium Oxide with Non-Transition Metal

Non-Transition MetalChemical SymbolReaction with Calcium Oxide
HydrogenHCaO + H2O → Ca(OH)2
HeliumHeNo reaction
CarbonCCaO + C → CaC2 + CO
NitrogenNNo reaction
OxygenO2CaO + O2 → 2CaO2
FluorineFCaO + 2F2 → CaF2 + O2
NeonNeNo reaction
ChlorineClCaO + 2Cl2 → CaCl2 + CO2
ArgonArNo reaction
BromineBrCaO + 2Br2 → CaBr2 + CO2
IodineICaO + 2I2 → CaI2 + CO2
XenonXeNo reaction

Reaction Of Calcium Oxide with Non-Metal

Non-MetalChemical SymbolReaction with Calcium Oxide
HydrogenHCaO + H2O → Ca(OH)2
HeliumHeNo reaction
CarbonCCaO + C → CaC2 + CO
NitrogenNCaO + 2N → Ca3N2
OxygenO2CaO + O2 → 2CaO2
FluorineFCaO + 2F2 → CaF2 + O2
NeonNeNo reaction
ChlorineClCaO + 2Cl2 → CaCl2 + CO2
ArgonArNo reaction
BromineBrCaO + 2Br2 → CaBr2 + CO2
IodineICaO + 2I2 → CaI2 + CO2
XenonXeNo reaction
PhosphorusPCaO + P4 → Ca3P2 + 2Ca
SulfurSCaO + S → CaS + CO2
SeleniumSeCaO + Se → CaSe + CO2
BromineBrCaO + 2Br2 → CaBr2 + CO2
IodineICaO + 2I2 → CaI2 + CO2

Reaction Of Calcium Oxide with Metalloid

MetalloidChemical SymbolReaction with Calcium Oxide
BoronBCaO + B2O3 → CaB4O7
SiliconSiCaO + SiO2 → CaSiO3
GermaniumGeCaO + GeO2 → CaGeO3
ArsenicAsCaO + As2O3 → Ca3(AsO4)2
AntimonySbCaO + Sb2O3 → Ca3Sb2O7
TelluriumTeCaO + TeO2 → CaTeO3
PoloniumPoCaO + PoO2 → CaPoO2
BoronBCaO + 2B → CaB2 + O2
SiliconSi2CaO + Si → Ca2SiO4
GermaniumGe2CaO + Ge → Ca2GeO4
ArsenicAs2CaO + As → Ca3As2O8
AntimonySb2CaO + Sb → Ca3Sb2O8
TelluriumTe2CaO + Te → CaTeO3 + Ca
PoloniumPoNo reaction

Reaction Of Calcium Oxide with lanthanides

ElementReaction with Calcium Oxide
CeriumCeO2 + CaO → CaCeO3
EuropiumEu2O3 + 3CaO → 2EuCaO3
LutetiumLu2O3 + 3CaO → 2LuCaO3
GadoliniumGd2O3 + 3CaO → 2GdCaO3
LanthanumLa2O3 + 3CaO → 2LaCaO3

Reaction Of Calcium Oxide with actinides

ElementReaction with Calcium Oxide
UraniumU3O8 + 6CaO → 3UO2·2CaO + 2Ca3UO6
PlutoniumPuO2 + 2CaO → PuCa2O4
AmericiumAmO2 + 2CaO → AmCa2O4
ThoriumThO2 + 2CaO → Ca2ThO4
CuriumCm2O3 + 3CaO → 2CmCaO3