Neodymium(III) sulfide explained

Neodymium(III) sulfide is a inorganic chemical compound with the formula Nd₂S₃ composed of a two neodymium atoms in the +3 oxidation state and three sulfur atoms in the -2 oxidation state. Like other rare earth sulfides, neodymium(III) sulfide is used as a high-performance inorganic pigment.

Preparation

Neodymium(III) sulfide can directly be produced by reacting neodymium with sulfur:

2Nd + 3S → Nd₂S₃

It can also be produced by sulfidizing neodymium oxide with H₂S at 1450 °C:^[1]

Nd₂O₃ + 3 H₂S → Nd₂S₃ + 3 H₂O

Properties

Neodymium(III) sulfide is (as γ-form) a light green solid. The compound comes in three forms.^[2] The α-form has an orthorhombic crystal structure, the β form has a tetragonal crystal structure, and the γ form has a cubic crystal structure. At 1650 °C in a vacuum, the γ compound decomposes to form neodymium monosulfide.

Neodymium(III) sulfide has a high melting point and a lot of polymorphic forms which make it difficult to grow. When heated, neodymium sulfide can lose sulfur atoms and can form a range of compositions between Nd₂S₃ and Nd₃S₄. Neodymium(III) sulfide is an electrical insulator.^[3]

See also

• Neodymium
• Sulfur
• Lanthanide

Notes and References

1. Book: Meyer . G. . Synthesis of Lanthanide and Actinide Compounds . Morss . Lester R. . 1990-12-31 . Springer Science & Business Media . 978-0-7923-1018-1 . en.
2. Book: Faulkner . Edwin B. . High Performance Pigments . Schwartz . Russell J. . 2009-03-09 . John Wiley & Sons . 978-3-527-62692-2 . en.
3. Book: Cotton, Simon . 2006 . Lanthanide and Actinide Chemistry. John Wiley & Sons Ltd.