Cerium (Ce)

Silver white

Cerium is the most abundant rare earth element, found in lighter flints, catalytic converters, and glass polish, and with [Xe] 4f¹ 5d¹ 6s², cerium oscillates between Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺ states, making it an excellent redox catalyst. Cerium oxide nanoparticles are used as polishing agents and diesel oxidation catalysts.

Key metrics

Density6.77g/cm³

Melting point1,071K

Boiling point3,716K

Electronegativity1.12Pauling

Discovery

1803discovered

Discovered by: Martin Heinrich Klaproth
Reactivity profile: Oxidizes easily
Reactivity: High
Bonding: Metallic

Electron configuration

\textcolor{#6b7280}{[Xe]}\; \textcolor{#a855f7}{4_{f}^{1}}\; \textcolor{#22c55e}{5_{d}^{1}}\; \textcolor{#ef4444}{6_{s}^{2}}

[Xe] 4f1 5d1 6s2

Wave function

\Psi_{\text{Ce}} \approx \frac{1}{\sqrt{58!}} \det \left| \chi_1(\mathbf{r}_1) \dots \chi_{58}(\mathbf{r}_{58}) \right|

Probability density $|\Psi|^2$ across the Ce valence shell.

Crystal structure

Double Hexagonal Close-Packed

Lattice constantsa 1.00 · b 1.00 · c 2.00

Cell anglesα 90° · β 90° · γ 120°

Coordination number12

Atoms per cell4

Atomic packing factor0.74

Physical properties

Atomic radius: 185 pm
Ionization energy: 534 kJ/mol
Electron affinity: 50 kJ/mol
Crystal structure: β-Ce: Double hexagonal close-packed (dhcp)

Oxidation states

+3+4

Acid/base

Basic

Strongly acidicStrongly basic

State at 25 °CSolid

1071 K3716 K298 K

Emission spectrum

3 transitions

380450500550600650700780

VioletBlueGreenYellowRed

446.0nmCe I (blue)Violet50%

518.3nmCe I (green)Green100%

527.6nmCe IGreen70%

Dominant line 518.3 nmRange 446–528 nmTransitions 3