Oxidation of cerium(III) to cerium(IV) using a mixture of hot concentrated perchloric and sulfuric acids

The oxidation of cerium(III) to cerium(IV) using a hot concentrated mixture of perchloric and sulfuric acids is shown to be quantitative Optimum conditions for the oxidation are described Complete removal of chlorine, an interfering decomposition product of boiling perchloric acid, is achieved by purging the concentrated acid solution with nitrogen before dilution with water The presence of sulfuric acid is essentral, the chief role of sulfuric acid apparently being to stabihze the cerium(IV) as a sulfatocerate complex.