Lanthanum acetate

Lanthanum acetate is an inorganic compound, a salt of lanthanum with acetic acid with the chemical formula La(CH3COO)3.

Synthesis
Lanthanum acetate can be formed by the reaction of lanthanum(III) oxide and acetic anhydride:


 * La2O3 + 3(CH3CO)2O -> 2La(CH3COO)3

It is also made in a reaction of lanthanum oxide with 50% acetic acid:


 * La2O3 + 6CH3COOH -> 2La(CH3COO)3 + 3H2O

Physical properties
Lanthanum(III) acetate forms colorless crystals.

Lanthanum acetate dissolves in water.

Lanthanum acetate forms hydrates of the composition La(CH3COO)3•nH2O, where n = 1 and 1.5.

Lanthanum acetate and its hydrates decompose when heated.

Uses
Lanthanum acetate is used in specialty glass manufacturing and in water treatment.

Also, it is used to produce porous lanthanum oxyfluoride (LaOF) films.

It is also used as a component in the production of ceramic products and as a catalyst in the pharmaceutical industry.