Europium(III) carbonate

Europium(III) carbonate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Eu2(CO3)3.

Preparation
Europium(III) carbonate can be obtained by mixing and heating an aqueous solution of ammonium carbonate and europium(III) chloride. A saturated carbon dioxide ammonium carbonate solution (obtained from the reaction of hydrochloric acid and ammonium carbonate solution) can also precipitate europium carbonate from a europium salt solution. Other preparation methods include the thermal decomposition of europium(III) acetate and the reaction of a suspension of europium(III) oxide in water and supercritical carbon dioxide.

Chemical properties
Europium(III) carbonate is soluble in acid and releases carbon dioxide:


 * Eu2(CO3)3 + 6 H+ -> 2 Eu3+ + 3 H2O + 3 CO2↑

Europium(III) carbonate decomposes at high temperatures to form europium(III) oxide:


 * Eu2(CO3)3 -> Eu2O3 + 3 CO2↑