Synthesis and characterization of Ce2(SO4)3 · 5(H,D)2 O

The synthesis of cerium sulphate pentahydrate and its structure investigated by X-ray diffraction methods are reported. Analysis of the precession and Weissenberg photographs show that the crystals are twinned perfectly, in the sense that they are made of two single crystals with the true space group Cc. The dehydration of this compound has been studied using thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetric analysis in the temperature range 360 to 650 K. Powder Raman spectra of Ce₂(SO₄)₃ · 5 H₂O and Ce₂(SO₄)₃ · 5 D₂O have been measured at room temperature and the spectral assignments have been carried out by comparing these spectra with each other. Evidence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding has been found.