rReactions/Structure of Cerium

 

Electron Shell Configuration=(Xe)4f15d16s2

  Because the most common form of Cerium is 58/140 Ce then the amount of protons in the structure is 58. And the amount of electrons rotating around all the shells combines is 58, with two on the outer shell. Therefore the amount of neutrons in the nucleus is 82.

http://www.webelements.com/webelements/elements/media/kossel-pics/Ce.jpg

Cerium has a very unique reaction tendency.  Because it has ionic forms all the way to an 8+ ion it can react with almost any element on this earth.  However the most common reactants of cerium are oxide, chloride, and sulfide. Cerium must lose only two outer electrons to become stable so other 2- anions tend to be a very popular in cerium reactions.  Because cerium reacts with so many elements it is near impossible to find pure cerium metal in the atmosphere.  Therefore, cerium must be obtained by single replacement reactions and dissociation reactions.

The two most common reactions to obtain cerium are:

2Ca(s) + 2CeF3(aq) → 2Ce(s) + 3CaF2(aq)

Another way to produce pure Cerium is;

3Li(s) + CeCl3(aq) →  Ce(aq) + 3LiCl