Cerium(IV) hydroxide, also known as ceric hydroxide, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Ce(OH)4. It is a yellowish powder that is insoluble in water but soluble in concentrated acids.[1]
Cerium(IV) hydroxide can be produced by reacting cerium(III) carbonate and acetic acid, then oxidizing it with hydrogen peroxide in base. The reactions are:[2]
Ce2(CO3)3 + 6 CH3COOH → 2 Ce(CH3COO)3 + 3 CO2↑ + 3 H2O
2 Ce(CH3COO)3 + 3 H2O2 + 4 H2O → 2 Ce(OH)3(OOH) + 6 CH3COOH
CH3COOH + NaOH → CH3COONa + H2O
2 Ce(OH)3(OOH) → 2 Ce(OH)4↓ + O2↑The net equation is：
Ce2(CO3)3 + 6 CH3COOH + 3 H2O2 + 6 NaOH —343 K→ 2 Ce(OH)4 + 6 CH3COONa + O2↑ + 3 CO2↑ + 5 H2OIf using cerium(III) nitrate as ingredient, a similar reaction occurs:[3]
2 Ce(NO3)3 + 3 H2O2 + 6 NH3·H2O → 2 Ce(OH)3(OOH)↓ + 6 NH4NO3 + 2 H2O
Ce(OH)3(OOH) —Δ→ 2 Ce(OH)4↓ + O2↑It might also prepared by addition of sodium hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide to a Ce4+ solution, being obtained as a gelatinous precipitate described as CeO2·xH2O, (x = 0.5–2). Boiling an insoluble Ce4+ salt in NaOH gives granular Ce(OH)4.[1]