Chemicals and Drugs

Osmium Tetroxide

(T-4)-Osmium oxide (OsO4). A highly toxic and volatile oxide of osmium used in industry as an oxidizing agent. It is also used as a histological fixative and stain and as a synovectomy agent in arthritic joints. Its vapor can cause eye, skin, and lung damage.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

(T-4)-Osmium oxide (OsO4). A highly toxic and volatile oxide of osmium used in industry as an oxidizing agent. It is also used as a histological fixative and stain and as a synovectomy agent in arthritic joints. Its vapor can cause eye, skin, and lung damage.

Chemical Identity

Chemical Information

Molecular Formula
O4Os
Molecular Weight
254.2 g/mol
CAS Registry No.
20816-12-0
IUPAC Name
tetraoxoosmium
InChIKey
VUVGYHUDAICLFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES
O=[Os](=O)(=O)=O
MeSH Unique ID
D009993
Source
PubChem CID 30318

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

3 entry terms
  • Osmic Acid
  • Acid, Osmic
  • Tetroxide, Osmium

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

24 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

indust & histol uses

MeSH Record

History Note

91(79); was see under OSMIUM 1979-90

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Osmium (1966-1978)
  • Oxides (1966-1978)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Osmium Tetroxide. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D009993. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D009993
  2. Osmium Tetroxide. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmium_tetroxide
  3. Osmium Tetroxide. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q422021
  4. Osmium Tetroxide. In: PubChem Compound. CID 30318. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/30318