Lanthanum Acetate

Rare Earth Acetates

Lanthanum Acetate, chemically represented as La(CH₃COO)₃ (primarily existing in hydrated forms such as the trihydrate (La(CH₃COO)₃·3H₂O) under ambient conditions), is a key organic-inorganic hybrid compound in the lanthanide acetate family. Distinguished by its unique combination of lanthanum(III)’s stability (+3 oxidation state) and acetate ions’ organic compatibility, it bridges the gap between inorganic lanthanum salts (e.g., chloride, nitrate) and fully organic lanthanide complexes—making it ideal for applications requiring solubility in both aqueous and polar organic solvents. Unlike inorganic lanthanum salts that may introduce unwanted anions (e.g., Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻) in sensitive processes, Lanthanum Acetate’s acetate anion is easily decomposed (via pyrolysis) or removed, leaving minimal residues. With base purities ranging from 98% (technical grade) to 99.999% (ultra-high purity), it is widely used in organic synthesis, catalyst preparation, ceramic processing, and biomedical research.

Commercially, Lanthanum Acetate is categorized by hydration state, purity, and particle size to meet diverse application needs. Technical Grade (purity 98.0%–99.0%, typically trihydrate, particle size 100–200 mesh) prioritizes cost-efficiency for industrial uses like ceramic sintering aids (reducing sintering temperature of alumina ceramics), textile dyeing mordants, and raw material for lanthanum oxide synthesis. Reagent Grade (purity ≥99.5%, controlled hydration ±0.5%, particle size 200–300 mesh) meets laboratory standards for analytical chemistry (e.g., lanthanide coordination studies), small-scale organic synthesis (as a Lewis acid catalyst), and cell culture media additives. High-Purity Grade (purity ≥99.99%, low-hydrate form like monohydrate (La (CH₃COO)₃・H₂O), particle size 200–300 mesh) targets electronics and optoelectronics, including precursor for lanthanum-based organic-inorganic hybrid films and dopant for conductive polymers—where trace impurities (e.g.,<10 ppb heavy metals, <5 ppb other rare earths) must be minimized to avoid performance defects. Ultra-High Purity Grade (purity ≥99.999%, anhydrous La (CH₃COO)₃) is a niche grade for quantum dots and biomedical imaging agents, with hydration tightly controlled (<0.1% moisture) to ensure compatibility with organic matrices. At standard temperature and pressure, Lanthanum Acetate trihydrate appears as colorless to white crystalline powder or plate-like crystals—its light color and lack of strong reactivity simplify handling, while hydration state is distinguishable via thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA): trihydrate loses 结晶 water at 80–120°C, forming anhydrous La (CH₃COO)₃ above 200°C.

Physically, Lanthanum Acetate exhibits traits tailored to its organic-inorganic hybrid nature and application requirements. The trihydrate (La (CH₃COO)₃・3H₂O) has a molecular weight of 316.01 g/mol, a bulk density of ~1.63 g/cm³, and exceptional solubility in both aqueous and polar organic solvents: it dissolves in water at ~25 g/100 mL (20°C) and in ethanol at ~10 g/100 mL (20°C)—a key advantage over inorganic lanthanum salts like sulfate (insoluble in organics). Anhydrous Lanthanum Acetate (molecular weight 266.95 g/mol) has a higher bulk density (~1.85 g/cm³) and enhanced solubility in non-polar solvents (e.g., acetone, ethyl acetate), with solubility ~5 g/100 mL in acetone, enabling use in anhydrous organic reactions. Thermal stability is moderate: trihydrate decomposes gradually above 120°C (losing 结晶 water), with complete decomposition to lanthanum oxide (La₂O₃) above 600°C—releasing acetic acid vapor (CH₃COOH) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the process. It exhibits mild hygroscopicity (~0.5% moisture absorption at 60% humidity) compared to lanthanum chloride (highly hygroscopic), preventing severe caking but requiring sealed storage to maintain hydration consistency. Notably, its solution viscosity is low (2–3 cP for 10% aqueous solution at 20°C), making it easy to handle in coating and film-forming processes.

Chemically, Lanthanum Acetate’s defining feature is the synergy between La³⁺ ions and acetate anions. As a lanthanide acetate, it dissociates completely in aqueous solutions into La³⁺ and CH₃COO⁻ ions, with acetate ions acting as weak ligands that can form stable complexes with La³⁺ in neutral to slightly basic conditions—this property is leveraged in catalyst design and biomedical imaging. It acts as a mild Lewis acid catalyst in organic reactions (e.g., esterification, aldol condensation), offering higher selectivity than strong inorganic acids (e.g., H₂SO₄) by avoiding side reactions like charring. Unlike lanthanum nitrate (a potential oxidizer), it is chemically inert under normal conditions, with no redox reactivity—making it safe for use in organic synthesis and biomedical applications. When heated with strong bases (e.g., sodium hydroxide), it reacts to form insoluble lanthanum hydroxide (La(OH)₃) precipitates (La(CH₃COO)₃ + 3NaOH → La(OH)₃↓ + 3CH₃COONa), a reaction used in analytical chemistry to isolate lanthanum from organic matrices. In organic solvents, it forms adducts with oxygen-containing ligands (e.g., ethers, ketones), enhancing its solubility and reactivity in non-aqueous systems.

The industrial production of Lanthanum Acetate primarily uses lanthanum-rich raw materials, such as purified lanthanum oxide (La₂O₃) or lanthanum carbonate, via neutralization with acetic acid. The process involves four core steps. First, raw material preparation: if using La₂O₃ (purity ≥99.0%), it is crushed to 100–200 mesh to increase surface area; if using lanthanum carbonate (La₂(CO₃)₃), it is dissolved in dilute acetic acid to remove carbonate ions. Second, neutralization reaction: the prepared raw material is mixed with glacial acetic acid (CH₃COOH, 99.5% purity) in a reaction vessel at 60–80°C, with a molar ratio of La₂O₃ to CH₃COOH of 1:6 (reaction: La₂O₃ + 6CH₃COOH + 3H₂O → 2La (CH₃COO)₃・3H₂O). The reaction is exothermic, so temperature is controlled via cooling to prevent acetic acid evaporation. Third, purification: the resulting solution is filtered to remove undissolved impurities (e.g., silica, other Rare Earth Acetates). For high-purity grades, solvent extraction (using organic solvents like ethyl acetate) is used to reduce trace metals and anions to ppb levels. Fourth, crystallization and finishing: the purified solution is concentrated under reduced pressure at 50–60°C to a 50%–60% concentration, then cooled to 0–10°C to induce trihydrate crystallization. The crystals are filtered and washed with cold ethanol to remove residual acetic acid. For anhydrous Lanthanum Acetate, the trihydrate is dried at 180–220°C under vacuum to remove all 结晶 water, then crushed and screened to target particle size. High-purity grades are packaged in nitrogen-filled containers to prevent moisture absorption.

Lanthanum Acetate’s applications are driven by its dual solubility and mild reactivity. In organic synthesis, Reagent Grade trihydrate is a versatile Lewis acid catalyst for reactions like transesterification (used in biodiesel production) and Diels-Alder cycloaddition—its acetate anion avoids corrosion of reaction equipment (unlike HCl or H₂SO₄). In ceramics, Technical Grade is a sintering aid for zirconia ceramics: it forms a liquid phase at high temperatures, promoting grain growth and reducing sintering shrinkage, resulting in ceramics with higher density and strength. In electronics, High-Purity Grade anhydrous Lanthanum Acetate is a precursor for lanthanum-doped ZnO thin films (used in transparent conductive coatings): dissolved in ethanol, it is deposited via spin coating and annealed to form films with high electrical conductivity. In biomedical research, Ultra-High Purity Grade is used as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): its La³⁺ ions interact with water molecules to enhance image contrast, while the acetate anion ensures biocompatibility. Additionally, it is used in textile industry as a mordant for natural dyes (e.g., indigo), improving color fastness by forming stable complexes with dye molecules and fabric fibers.

Safety-wise, Lanthanum Acetate has low acute toxicity and is considered safe for most industrial and laboratory uses. Its crystals and solutions cause minimal skin or eye irritation—direct contact may result in mild dryness, but no chemical burns (unlike strong acids or bases). Inhalation of fine powder may irritate the respiratory tract, leading to temporary coughing, so dust generation should be minimized via proper ventilation. It is non-flammable, and thermal decomposition releases only acetic acid (a weak acid) and non-toxic gases, posing no fire or explosion risks. To ensure safety, operators should wear nitrile gloves and safety goggles when handling; a dust mask is recommended for fine-powder grades. Storage should be in a cool (15–25°C), dry (<60% area="" in="" sealed="" containers="" to="" maintain="" trihydrate="" should="" be="" protected="" from="" excessive="" heat="">80°C) to prevent water loss, while anhydrous Lanthanum Acetate should be stored under nitrogen to avoid moisture absorption. It should be stored separately from strong bases to avoid unwanted precipitation. In case of skin contact, rinse with water for 10 minutes; eye contact requires flushing with water. If inhaled, move to fresh air. When stored properly, trihydrate has a shelf life of 1–2 years, anhydrous Lanthanum Acetate 2–3 years. Expired products may show reduced solubility or moisture absorption (detected via TGA) and should be tested before use.

Descriptive:  WNX employs advanced automated production technology and uses high-quality raw materials to produce high-quality Lanthanum Acetate.

Key Features:

High Purity:Lanthanum Acetate contains no impurities from rare earth elements (such as iron, calcium, sodium), and the impurity content is low.

Good Solubility:Lanthanum Acetate can dissolve rapidly in water and strong acids.

Consistency: The strict batch management in the production ofLanthanum Acetate ensures stable quality for industrial large-scale production.

Chemical industrial catalyst: Lithium acetate acts as an effective Lewis acid catalyst and is widely used in the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process in the petrochemical industry, enhancing the efficiency and quality of fuel production. It is also a key component of automotive exhaust purification catalysts and can be used in organic synthesis reactions such as the acetylation of alcohols, phenols, and amines. In the pharmaceutical industry, it serves as a catalyst precursor and participates in the synthesis of specific drug intermediates.

Pond Phosphorus Remover: Based on its chemical properties, lanthanum acetate can effectively remove phosphate from water bodies through precipitation, which is helpful in addressing the problem of water body eutrophication. Studies have shown that it can effectively inhibit the pathogenesis of vascular calcification and demonstrates potential applications in environmental and biomedical water treatment.

Special Glass and Ceramic Manufacturing: Lithium acetate is an essential raw material for manufacturing special optical glass and precision ceramics. Its high purity makes it suitable for producing optical glass with high refractive index and low dispersion, which is widely used in high-end lenses and optical fibers. In the ceramic industry, it is used to improve the dielectric properties and sintering activity of electronic ceramics (such as multilayer ceramic capacitors MLCC).

Chemical synthetic intermediates and functional material precursors: As an important lanthanum source, lanthanum acetate is a key precursor for synthesizing other lanthanum compounds (such as lanthanum oxide, lanthanum fluoride) and nanostructured materials. It is used through the sol-gel method to prepare magnesium and lanthanum co-doped titanium dioxide (Mg-La/TiO₂) photoelectrodes, significantly enhancing the photocatalytic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Additionally, it is also the initial raw material for synthesizing rare earth luminescent materials and ZBLAN optical fibers.

1.Neutral labels/packaging (jumbo bag of 1.000kg each net),Two bags per pallet.

2.Vacuum-sealed, then wrapped in air cushion bags, and finally packed into iron drums.

Drum: Steel drums (open-top, 45L capacity, dimensions: φ365mm × 460mm / inner diameter × outer height).

Weight per Drum: 50 kg

Palletization: 18 drums per pallet (total 900 kg/pallet).

Transport Class: Maritime transportation / Air transportation

Custom packaging available upon request