Cerium acetate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula of Ce(CH3COO)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.
Cerium acetate can be prepared by reacting cerium(III) carbonate and 50% acetic acid in an aqueous solution:[1]
Ce2(CO3)3 + 6 CH3COOH → 2 Ce(CH3COO)3 + 3 H2O + 3 CO2↑
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.[2] Its thermal decomposition at 310 °C will generate basic cerium(III) acetate, which will be further decomposed to obtain Ce2O2CO3 (a basic carbonate), and continued heating generates CeO2 and CO.[3]