Description: Tungsten trioxide, also known as tungsten oxide or tungstic anhydride, WO3, is a chemical compound containing oxygen and the transition metal tungsten.
Tungsten Trioxide , also known as tungsten oxide or tungstic anhydride, WO3, is a chemical compound containing oxygen and the transition metal tungsten. It is obtained as an intermediate in the recovery of tungsten from its minerals. Tungsten ores are treated with alkalis to produce WO3. Further reaction with carbon or hydrogen gas reduces tungsten trioxide to the pure metal.
WO3 + 3H2 → W + 3H2O 2WO3 + 3C → 2W + 3CO2
Tungsten trioxide occurs naturally in form of hydrates, which include minerals: tungstite WO3·H2O, meymacite WO3·2H2O and hydrotungstite (of same composition as meymacite, however sometimes written as H2WO4). These minerals are rare to very rare secondary tungsten minerals.