Cerium(III) nitrate hexahydrate
[CAS# 10294-41-4]

Identification

• Classification: Inorganic chemical industry >> Inorganic salt >> Metal nitrates and nitrites
• Name: Cerium(III) nitrate hexahydrate
• Molecular Formula: Ce(NO₃)₃^.6(H₂O)
• Molecular Weight: 434.22
• CAS Registry Number: 10294-41-4
• EC Number: 600-370-9
• SMILES: [N+](=O)([O-])[O-].[N+](=O)([O-])[O-].[N+](=O)([O-])[O-].O.O.O.O.O.O.[Ce+3]

Properties

• Solubility: Soluble (water)

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS03;GHS05;GHS07;GHS09 Danger
• Hazard Statements: H272-H315-H318-H319-H440-H410
• Precautionary Statements: P210-P220-P264-P264+P265-P273-P280-P302+P352-P305+P351+P338-P305+P354+P338-P317-P321-P332+P317-P337+P317-P362+P364-P370+P378-P391-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Serious eye damage	Eye Dam.	1	H318
Oxidising solids	Ox. Sol.	2	H272
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	1	H410
Acute hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Acute	1	H400
Oxidising solids	Ox. Sol.	3	H272
Eye irritation	Eye Irrit.	2	H319
Skin irritation	Skin Irrit.	2	H315
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	3	H412

• Transport Information: UN 1477

Discovory and Applicatios

Cerium (III) nitrate hexahydrate (Ce(NO3)3.6H3O) is an inorganic compound with cerium in the oxidation state +3. This crystalline solid is an important reagent in various scientific and industrial processes. It is a colorless to pale yellow crystal that is freely soluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohol, and hygroscopic, absorbing moisture from the air. In 1839, Swedish chemist Carl Gustaf Mosander isolated cerium from the mineral ceria. As the unique properties of cerium became known, especially in redox reactions, the compound cerium (III) nitrate hexahydrate began to be used. Cerium can exist in a variety of oxidation states and is valuable in a variety of applications.

Cerium (III) nitrate is widely used as a catalyst for redox reactions due to its ability to switch between Ce(III) and Ce(IV) states. This redox ability makes it essential in organic synthesis, promoting reactions such as oxidation, reduction, and coupling reactions. It is used in catalytic converters to reduce automobile exhaust emissions, converting harmful gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides into less toxic substances, helping to protect the environment.

Cerium (III) nitrate is used as an oxidizing agent in analytical chemistry for quantitative analysis. It is able to oxidize a wide range of substrates and is very useful in titrations and other chemical analyses to determine the concentration of reducing agents in a sample. It is used to prepare standard solutions for calibration and analytical methods. Its stability and reactivity ensure accuracy and precision in laboratory measurements.

Cerium (III) nitrate is used in the production of specialty glasses and ceramics. It acts as a dopant to improve the optical and mechanical properties of these materials for high-performance applications such as lenses and optical fibers. It is used in phosphors for lighting and display technology. Its enhanced luminescence properties can be used to create efficient luminescent materials for LEDs and screens.

Cerium (III) nitrate is used in biochemical research to study protein interactions and enzyme activity. It acts as a reagent in assays that require oxidation of biomolecules, helping researchers understand biochemical pathways and enzyme function. Due to its redox activity, cerium (III) nitrate has been used to study oxidative stress in biological systems and the response of cells to redox changes.

Cerium (III) nitrate is used to make polishes for glass and metal surfaces. Its abrasiveness and reactivity make it effective in creating high-quality finishes on optical lenses and mirrors. Cerium(III) nitrate is used in a variety of industrial chemical processes, including the production of other cerium compounds and complex inorganic materials.

Cerium(III) nitrate has the potential to remove pollutants in water treatment applications, and can be used as an oxidant to degrade organic pollutants and disinfect water.

References

2024. Effect of Gd3+ Ion Substitution on the Structural and Luminescence Properties of Ce3+-Doped YAG Phosphors. Journal of Electronic Materials, 53(12).
DOI: 10.1007/s11664-024-11437-7

2024. Visible light photocatalytic decomposition of organic dye and biodegradation-resistant antibiotic pollutants using cerium-doped tungsten trioxide nanoparticles. Research on Chemical Intermediates, 50(10).
DOI: 10.1007/s11164-024-05418-y

2024. Amine-Functionalized Bimetallic Ce/Zr-based MOF as an Effective Adsorptive Photocatalyst for the Removal of Persistent Organic Dye. Chemistry Africa, 7(6).
DOI: 10.1007/s42250-024-01079-x