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Atomic: M.A.C. | Reference
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Reactions of Cerium
Reactions with water
Cerium is quite electropositive and reacts slowly with cold water and quite quickly with hot water to form cerium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
  2Ce(s) + 6H2O(g)2Ce(OH)3(aq) + 3H2(g)
Reactions with air
Cerium tarnishes slowly in air and burns readily to form cerium (IV) oxide.
  Ce + O2CeO2
Reactions with halogens
Cerium metal reacts with all the halogens to form cerium(III) halides.
  2Ce(s) + 3F2(g)2CeF3(s)
  2Ce(s) + 3Cl2(g)2CeCl3(s)
  2Ce(s) + 3Br2(g)2CeBr3(s)
  2Ce(s) + 3I2(g)2CeI3(s)
Reactions with acids
Cerium dissolves readily in dilute sulphuric acid to form solutions containing the colourless aquated Ce(III) ion together with hydrogen gas.
  2Ce(s) + 3H2SO4(aq)2Ce3+(aq) + 3SO42-(aq) + 3H2(g)
 
Reduction Potentials
Balanced half-reaction E0 / V
Ce3+ + 3e-Ce(s) -2.48
Ce(OH)22+ + 2H+ + e-Ce3+ + 2H2O +1.73
Ce(OH)3+ + H+ + e-Ce3+ + H2O +1.71
Ce(ClO4)62- + e-Ce3+ + 6ClO4- +1.70
Ce(NO3)62- + e-Ce3+ + 6NO3- +1.61
Ce(SO4)32- + e-Ce3+ + 3SO42- +1.44