Samarium(III) oxide
_oxide.jpg) | |
| Names | |
|---|---|
| Other names
samarium sesquioxide | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.031.845 |
| EC Number | 235-043-6 |
PubChem CID |
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| Properties | |
| Sm2O3 | |
| Molar mass | 348.72 g/mol |
| Appearance | yellow-white crystals |
| Density | 8.347 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 2,335 °C (4,235 °F; 2,608 K) |
| Boiling point | Not Stated |
| insoluble | |
| +1988.0·10−6 cm3/mol | |
| Structure | |
| cubic | |
| Hazards | |
EU classification (DSD) (outdated) |
not listed |
| Related compounds | |
Other anions |
Samarium(III) chloride |
Other cations |
Promethium(III) oxide, Europium(III) oxide |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
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| Infobox references | |
Samarium(III) oxide (Sm2O3) is a chemical compound.
Uses
Samarium(III) oxide is used in optical and infrared absorbing glass to absorb infrared radiation. Also, it is used as a neutron absorber in control rods for nuclear power reactors. The oxide catalyzes dehydration of acyclic primary alcohols to aldehydes and ketones. Another use involves preparation of other samarium salts. [1]
Preparations
Samarium(III) oxide may be prepared by two methods:
1. thermal decomposition of samarium(III) carbonate, hydroxide, nitrate, oxalate or sulfate:
- Sm2(CO3)3 → Sm2O3 + 3 CO2
2. by burning the metal in air or oxygen at a temperature above 150 °C:
- 4 Sm + 3 O2 → 2 Sm2O3
Reactions
Samarium(III) oxide dissolves in mineral acids, forming salts upon evaporation and crystallization:
- Sm2O3 + 6 HCl → 2 SmCl3 + 3 H2O
The oxide can be reduced to metallic samarium by heating with a reducing agent, such as hydrogen or carbon monoxide, at elevated temperatures.
References