Application
Gallium sesquioxide is reduced to gallium suboxide, Ga2O [12024-20-3] by common reducing agents. Also, heating the sesquioxide with gallium metal yields gallium suboxide. Heating with magnesium reduces the oxide to elemental form in a violent reaction:
Ga2O3 + 3Mg →2Ga + 3MgO
Heating with mineral acids yields corresponding gallium salts. When heated with a mixture of hydrogen and arsenic vapors at 600°C, gallium arsenide, GaAs is produced. When heated with alkali metal oxide at 1,000°C, alkali metal gallates, such as K2Ga2O6 are formed.