Molten nitrate eutectics: The reaction of four lanthanide chlorides

The reactions of lanthanum(III), cerium(III), praseodymium(III) and europium(III) chlorides have been studied in the molten lithium nitrate-potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate-potassium nitrate eutectics. The ultimate reaction products have been shown to be oxides (La₂O₃, CeO₂, Pr₆O₁₁ and Eu₂O₃, respectively) which increased the rate of decomposition of the melts, while in three cases an intermediate oxide nitrate was formed (LaONO₃, PrONO₃ and EuONO₃). The temperatures and stoichiometries of the reactions have been established.