Promethium compounds are compounds containing the elementpromethium, which normally take the +3oxidation state. Promethium belongs to thecerium group of lanthanides and is chemically very similar to the neighboring elements.[2] Because of its instability, chemical studies of promethium are incomplete. Even though a few compounds have been synthesized, they are not fully studied; in general, they tend to be pink or red in color.[3][4] Treatment of acidic solutions containing Pm3+ ions withammonia results in a gelatinous light-brown sediment of hydroxide, Pm(OH)3, which is insoluble in water.[5] When dissolved inhydrochloric acid, a water-soluble yellow salt, PmCl3, is produced;[5] similarly, when dissolved in nitric acid, a nitrate results, Pm(NO3)3. The latter is also well-soluble; when dried, it forms pink crystals, similar to Nd(NO3)3.[5] The electron configuration for Pm3+ is [Xe] 4f4, and the color of the ion is pink. The ground state term symbol is5I4.[6] The sulfate is slightly soluble, like the other cerium group sulfates. Cell parameters have been calculated for its octahydrate; they lead to conclusion that the density of Pm2(SO4)3·8 H2O is 2.86 g/cm3.[7] The oxalate, Pm2(C2O4)3·10 H2O, has the lowest solubility of all lanthanide oxalates.[8]
Unlike the nitrate, theoxide is similar to the corresponding samarium salt and not the neodymium salt. As-synthesized, e.g. by heating the oxalate, it is a white or lavender-colored powder with disordered structure.[5] This powder crystallizes in a cubic lattice upon heating to 600 °C. Further annealing at 800 °C and then at 1750 °C irreversibly transforms it tomonoclinic andhexagonal phases, respectively, and the last two phases can be interconverted by adjusting the annealing time and temperature.[9]
Formula | symmetry | space group | No | Pearson symbol | a (pm) | b (pm) | c (pm) | Z | density, g/cm3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
α-Pm | dhcp[10][11] | P63/mmc | 194 | hP4 | 365 | 365 | 1165 | 4 | 7.26 |
β-Pm | bcc[11] | Fm3m | 225 | cF4 | 410 | 410 | 410 | 4 | 6.99 |
Pm2O3 | cubic[9] | Ia3 | 206 | cI80 | 1099 | 1099 | 1099 | 16 | 6.77 |
Pm2O3 | monoclinic[9] | C2/m | 12 | mS30 | 1422 | 365 | 891 | 6 | 7.40 |
Pm2O3 | hexagonal[9] | P3m1 | 164 | hP5 | 380.2 | 380.2 | 595.4 | 1 | 7.53 |
Promethium forms only one stable oxidation state, +3, in the form of ions; this is in line with other lanthanides. According to its position in theperiodic table, the element cannot be expected to form stable +4 or +2 oxidation states; treating chemical compounds containing Pm3+ ions with strong oxidizing or reducing agents showed that the ion is not easily oxidized or reduced.[2]
Formula | color | coordination number | symmetry | space group | No | Pearson symbol | m.p. (°C) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PmF3 | Purple-pink | 11 | hexagonal | P3c1 | 165 | hP24 | 1338 |
PmCl3 | Lavender | 9 | hexagonal | P63/mc | 176 | hP8 | 655 |
PmBr3 | Red | 8 | orthorhombic | Cmcm | 63 | oS16 | 624 |
α-PmI3 | Red | 8 | orthorhombic | Cmcm | 63 | oS16 | α→β |
β-PmI3 | Red | 6 | rhombohedral | R3 | 148 | hR24 | 695 |