Lanthanum(III) chloride Property

Melting point:

860 °C(lit.)

Boiling point:

1812 °C(lit.)

Density 

3.84 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)

Flash point:

1000°C

storage temp. 

Inert atmosphere,Room Temperature

form 

beads

color 

White to almost white

Specific Gravity

3.842

Water Solubility 

Soluble in water.

Sensitive 

Hygroscopic

Merck 

14,5363

Stability:

Stability

CAS DataBase Reference

10099-58-8(CAS DataBase Reference)

EPA Substance Registry System

Lanthanum chloride (LaCl3) (10099-58-8)

Safety

Hazard Codes 

Xi,N

Risk Statements 

36/37/38-11-51/53-43-41

Safety Statements 

26-36-61-36/37/39

RIDADR 

UN3264

WGK Germany 

2

RTECS 

OE4375000

TSCA 

Yes

HazardClass 

8

PackingGroup 

III

HS Code 

28469023

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statements

H290May be corrosive to metals

H317May cause an allergic skin reaction

H318Causes serious eye damage

H411Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Precautionary statements

P234Keep only in original container.

P261Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

P273Avoid release to the environment.

P280Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.

P302+P352IF ON SKIN: wash with plenty of soap and water.

P305+P351+P338IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continuerinsing.

Lanthanum(III) chloride Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Physical Properties

The anhydrous chloride is a white hexagonal crystal; hygroscopic; density 3.84 g/cm3; melts at 850°C; soluble in water. The heptahydrate is a white triclinic crystal; decomposes at 91°C; soluble in water and ethanol.

Uses

Lanthanum(III) chloride is used to prepare other lanthanum salts. The anhydrous chloride is employed to produce lanthanum metal.

Preparation

Lanthanum(III) chloride is formed by dissolving the oxide, hydroxide or carbonate in hydrochloric acid, followed by crystallization. The anhydrous chloride is obtained by heating oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate in an atmosphere of dry hydrogen chloride.
La2(CO3)3 + 6HCl → 2LnCl3 + 3CO2 + 3H2O
Another method involves heating lanthanum oxide with excess ammonium chloride at 300°C.

Reactions

When heated in the presence of water vapor, lanthanum oxochloride is formed:
LaCl3 + H2O→LaOCl + 2HCl
Heating with glass at elevated temperatures also forms oxochloride:
LaCl3 + SiO2→2LaOCl + SiCl4
Lanthanum chloride reacts with hydrogen sulfide when heated at 1100°C, forming lanthanum sulfide:
2LaCl3 + 3H2S→La2S3 + 3H2S
Reactions with ammonia and phosphine at elevated temperatures yield lanthanum nitride and phosphide, respectively:
LaCl3 + PH3→LaP + 3HCl
Lanthanum chloride is reduced to lanthanum metal when heated with an alkali or alkaline earth metal at temperatures above 1000°C:
LaCl3 + 3Li→La + 3LiCl

Chemical Properties

Lanthanum(III) chloride is white powder or colourless crystals

Uses

Lanthanum chloride is used to prepare other lanthanum salts. The anhydrous chloride is employed to produce lanthanum metal.

Uses

Lanthanum chloride is a precursor for synthesis of lanthanum phosphate nano rods and used in gamma detectors. It is also used as a catalyst for high pressure oxidative chlorination of methane to chloromethane with hydrochloric acid and oxygen. In organic synthesis, lanthanum trichloride acts as lewis acid for the conversion of aldehydes to acetals.

Preparation

The heptahydrate is formed by dissolving the oxide, hydroxide or carbonate in hydrochloric acid, followed by crystallization. The anhydrous chloride is obtained by heating oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate in an atmosphere of dry hydrogen chloride.
La₂(CO₃)₃ + 6HCl → 2LnCl₃ + 3CO₂ + 3H₂O
Another method involves heating lanthanum oxide with excess ammonium chloride at 300°C.

General Description

Lanthanum(III) chloride is white crystalline solid. Gives an amber aqueous solution that can cause destruction or irreversible alterations in human skin tissue at the site of contact. Has a severe corrosion rate on steel.

Air & Water Reactions

Deliquescent. Water soluble.

Reactivity Profile

Aqueous solutions of LANTHANUM CHLORIDE contain moderate concentrations of hydrogen ions and react as acids to neutralize bases. Does not usually react as either oxidizing agents or reducing agents but such behavior is not impossible. May catalyze organic reactions.

Health Hazard

TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury or death. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Avoid any skin contact. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated.