Ensuring complete absence of Ce(IV) and measurement of the stability constant of the fluoride complex of Ce(III)

Literature survey revealed a wide variation in the measured stability constant values of the aqueous fluoride complexes of trivalent cerium. This could be due to inadequate care for full conversion and maintenance of the oxidation state of cerium to trivalent state. In the present work quinhydrone has been used to ensure complete absence of Ce(IV) and the stability constant of CeF(2+) in 1 M NaClO(4) has been measured potentiometrically using a fluoride ion selective electrode. Log beta(1) obtained in this work was 2.936+/-0.024 and fitted well with the general trend of stability constants of the lanthanide (rare earths) fluorides in aqueous solution.