Electrochemical reduction of the lanthanide ions: Part II. Second reduction step of europium(III), ytterbium(III) and samarium(III) in acidic tetramethylammonium perchlorate solution

The second reduction step of Eu(III), Yb(III) and Sm(III) in 0.04 M tetramethylammonium perchlorate in the pH range 1.8–7 was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and d.c. polarography. The proposed reaction scheme at large hydrogen ion/lanthanide ion concentration ratios involves the reduction of the lanthanide(II) ion to the metallic state accompanied by a surface catalytic reaction in which the reactant is regenerated and also hydroxyl ions are formed which induces the precipitation of lanthanide(II) hydrous oxide on the electrode surface. This lanthanide(II) hydroxide is reduced at more negative potentials than the hydrated lanthanide(II) species. At lower hydrogen ion/lanthanide ion concentration ratios a preceding chemical reaction, probably involving hydrolyzed lanthanide(II) species, becomes rate determining.