Praseodymium chloride
[CAS# 10361-79-2]

Identification

• Classification: Inorganic chemical industry >> Inorganic salt >> Metal halides and halides >> Metal chlorides and salts
• Name: Praseodymium chloride
• Synonyms: Praseodymium trichloride; Praseodymium(3+) chloride; Praseodymium(III) chloride
• Molecular Formula: PrCl₃
• Molecular Weight: 247.27
• CAS Registry Number: 10361-79-2
• EC Number: 233-794-4
• SMILES: Cl[Pr](Cl)Cl

Properties

• Solubility: 142% w/w (water 80 °C)
• Density: 4.02 g/mL (25 °C)
• Melting point: 785 °C
• Boiling point: 1700 °C (760 mmHg)

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS07 Warning
• Risk Statements: H319
• Safety Statements: P305+P351+P338-P337+P313

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Skin irritation	Skin Irrit.	2	H315
Serious eye damage	Eye Dam.	1	H318
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	1	H410
Acute hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Acute	1	H400
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H302
Eye irritation	Eye Irrit.	2	H319
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H335
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	2	H411
Substances or mixtures corrosive to metals	Met. Corr.	1	H290
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1	H317

Discovery and Applications

Praseodymium is a rare earth element belonging to the lanthanide series. Praseodymium chloride, with the chemical formula PrCl₃, is a compound of praseodymium. This compound is a pale green crystalline solid that is soluble in water, ethanol, and acid. Praseodymium chloride is hygroscopic, absorbing moisture from the air, and exhibits paramagnetic properties due to its unpaired electrons. Praseodymium, named after the Greek word for "green," was discovered by Carl Auer von Welsbach in 1885. Its salts, including praseodymium chloride, have attracted attention for their unique spectral lines, which help identify and characterize the element in analytical chemistry. Over time, the application of praseodymium chloride has expanded beyond spectroscopy to contribute to a variety of fields.

Praseodymium chloride acts as a catalyst in various organic reactions, promoting processes such as esterification, oxidation, and polymerization. Its ability to alter reaction pathways and increase yields is valuable in industrial synthesis and research.

Praseodymium chloride is used as a colorant in glass and ceramic manufacturing, giving glass a distinctive green color, and can be used in decorative art glass, lenses, and optical filters.

Praseodymium compounds, including the chloride, are key ingredients in the production of high-performance magnets such as neodymium-praseodymium magnets (NdFeB). These magnets are essential in electric motors, generators, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines.

Praseodymium chloride is alloyed with other metals to enhance their properties. Praseodymium chloride is used in specialty alloys for the aerospace, automotive, and electronics industries for its strength, corrosion resistance, and magnetic properties.

Praseodymium chloride is used in the development of lasers and optical fibers because of its ability to amplify light signals. Its optical properties make it valuable in telecommunications and laser technology.

Praseodymium chloride is used in automotive catalytic converters to reduce harmful emissions, converting pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides into less harmful substances, helping to clean the air.

References

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