Lanthanum hydroxide

Synthesis

Lanthanum hydroxide can be obtained by adding an alkali such as ammonia to aqueous solutions of lanthanum salts such as lanthanum nitrate. This produces a gel-like precipitate that can then be dried in air.

Alternatively, it can be produced by hydration reaction (addition of water) to Lanthanum oxide.

Characteristics

Lanthanum hydroxide does not react much with alkaline substances, however is slightly soluble in acidic solution. In temperatures above 330 °C it decays into Lanthanum peroxide, LaOOH, which, upon further heating, decomposes into Lanthanum oxide.