Neodymium oxalate

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Neodymium oxalate
Neodymiumoxalate2.jpg
Names
IUPAC name
Neodymium ethanedioate
Other names
Neodymium ethanedioate(2:3)
Neodymium(III) oxalate
Properties
Nd2(C2O4)3
Molar mass 552.538 g/mol
Appearance Lavander solid
Odor Odorless
Melting point 40–50 °C (104–122 °F; 313–323 K) (hydrate, decomposes)
Boiling point Decomposes
Slightly
Solubility Insoluble in organic solvents
Hazards
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich (hydrate)
Flash point Non-flammable
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Neodymium oxalate or neodymium(III) oxalate is the chemical compound with the formula Nd2(C2O4)3. At standard temperature and pressure, it is a lavender-colored solid. It is most commonly encountered in the process of purifying neodymium from magnets.

Properties

Chemical

Neodymium oxalate is inert to most strong acids, including but not limited to concentrated hydrochloric, sulfuric, and nitric acids. In order to turn this into a usable neodymium compound, it must first be calcined to neodymium(III) oxide.

Physical

Neodymium oxalate is a pink solid under natural light, and may acquire a yellow tinge under incandescent light.

Preparation

Neodymium oxalate may be prepared from an acid-dissolved neodymium magnet by the addition of copious amounts of oxalic acid (available as wood bleach) and hydrogen peroxide (the more concentrated the better). At first, the precipitate will be either yellow or green, as iron oxalate coprecipitates. Upon addition of the hydrogen peroxide, however, the solution should fizz slightly, and in short order the yellow or green color of the precipitate should leach away. The iron is chelated into a vivid, emerald green complex in solution, and the neodymium oxalate remains insoluble as a pink or white precipitate.

Projects

Handling

Safety

Neodymium is a heavy metal, and as such is toxic if ingested. Standard gloves should be safe to handle neodymium compounds with. Oxalates and oxalic acid are toxic by ingestion, and may lead to kidney stones and other deleterious side effects. The effects are somewhat mitigated by the fact that neodymium oxalate is inert and water-insoluble, however.

Storage

Neodymium oxalate can be stored safely in any container.

Disposal

Neodymium oxalate should be converted into a less toxic form (such as the oxide, a refractory material) before being disposed of.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads