Cerium(III) acetate
# Cerium(III) acetate

Cerium acetate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula of $Ce(CH_3COO)_3.$ It is a white powder that is soluble in water. Its 1.5 hydrate loses water at 133°C to obtain an amorphous anhydrous form, and the amorphous phase changes to crystal at 212°C, and phase changes again at 286°C.

## Preparation

Cerium acetate can be prepared by reacting cerium(III) carbonate and 50% acetic acid in an aqueous solution:

    $Ce_2(CO_3)_3$ + 6 $CH_3COOH$ → 2 $Ce(CH_3COO)_3$ + 3 $H_2O$ + 3 $CO_2↑$

## Properties

Cerium acetate is soluble in water and ethanol in its anhydrous form (its hydrate is insoluble in ethanol), easily soluble in pyridine, and insoluble in acetone. Its thermal decomposition at 310 °C will generate basic cerium(III) acetate, which will be further decomposed to obtain $Ce_2O_2CO_3$ (a basic carbonate), and continued heating generates $CeO_2$ and CO.

