User:Praseodymium-141/Neodymium compounds

Neodymium compounds are compounds formed by the lanthanide metal neodymium (Nd). In these compounds, neodymium generally exhibits the +3 oxidation state, such as NdCl3, Nd2(SO4)3 and Nd(CH3COO)3. Compounds with neodymium in the +2 oxidation state are also known, such as NdCl2 and NdI2. Some neodymium compounds have colors that vary based upon the type of lighting.

Halides


Neodymium can form four trihalides of the form NdX3. It reacts vigorously with all the stable halogens:
 * 2Nd (s) + 3F2 (g) → 2NdF3 (s) [a violet substance]
 * 2Nd (s) + 3Cl2 (g) → 2NdCl3 (s) [a mauve substance]
 * 2Nd (s) + 3Br2 (g) → 2NdBr3 (s) [a violet substance]
 * 2Nd (s) + 3I2 (g) → 2NdI3 (s) [a green substance]

The dihalides NdCl2 and NdBr2 are dark green solids, with the same crystal structure as PbCl2 and NdI2 is a dark purple solid. They can be obtained in the Nd-NdX3 eutectic system.

Organoneodymium compounds
Organoneodymium compounds are compounds that have a neodymium–carbon bond. These compounds are similar to those of the other lanthanides, characterized by an inability to undergo π backbonding. They are thus mostly restricted to the mostly ionic cyclopentadienides (isostructural with those of lanthanum) and the σ-bonded simple alkyls and aryls, some of which may be polymeric.

Applications
Neodymium(III) chloride does not have strong luminescence, though it serves as a source of Nd3+ ions for various light emitting materials. The latter include Nd-YAG lasers and Nd-doped optical fiber amplifiers, which amplify light emitted by other lasers. The Nd-YAG laser emits infrared light at 1.064 micrometres and is the most popular solid-state laser (i.e. laser based on a solid medium).

Neodymium(III) acetate can be used as a substitute for uranyl acetate, which is used in electron microscopy.