Praseodymium bromate

Classical methods of separation [7] are (1) fractional crystallization, (2) precipitation and (3) thermal reactions. Fractional crystallization is an effective method for lanthanides at the lower end of the series, which differ in cation radius to a large extent. The separation of lanthanum as a double nitrate, La(N03)3-2NH4N03-4H20, from praseodymium and other trivalent lanthanide with prior removal of cerium as Ce4+ is quite a rapid process and is of commercial significance. Other examples are separation of yttrium earths as bromates, RE(Br03>9H20 and use of simple nitrates, sulfates and double sulfate and alkali metal rare earth ethylenediamine tetraacetate complex salts in fractional crystallization separation. 

Different, more specific, separation techniques were developed, each one having its special characteristics. It could be separation of other double salts - nitrates, oxalates - composed of a RE metal ion and another cation present in the solution, for example K+, Na+, NH or Mg. Double ammonium nitrate may be used for removal of lanthanum and the separation of neodymium from praseodymium. Members within the cerium group may be separated using double manganese nitrates, while elements in the yttrium group are separated using the differences in solubihty of their bromates. Auer von Welsbach did much work with RE-ammonium oxalate systems. Charles James in the USA developed an effective technique with RE-magne-sium double salts. 

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