Ce
140.120Cerium
Seryum
Cerium is the most abundant lanthanide and has atomic number 58. It is important in cerium oxide polishing powders, catalytic converters, oxygen-storage materials, self-cleaning ovens, mischmetal and redox chemistry involving Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺.
58
140.12 g/mol
[Xe] 4f¹ 5d¹ 6s²
2 | 8 | 18 | 19 | 9 | 2
1.12
6.77 g/cm³
794.9 °C
3442.8 °C
Jöns Jacob Berzelius
Cerium was discovered in 1803 by Jöns Jacob Berzelius and Wilhelm Hisinger, and independently by Martin Heinrich Klaproth. It was named after Ceres, the dwarf planet discovered shortly before.
Cerium-136
Natural abundance: About 0.19%. Rare isotope studied in double beta decay context.Cerium-138
Natural abundance: About 0.25%. Stable isotope of cerium.Cerium-140
Natural abundance: About 88.5%. Dominant natural cerium isotope.Cerium-142
Natural abundance: About 11.1%. Long-lived isotope studied for double beta decay.CeO₂
Cerium(IV) OxideGlass polishing, catalytic converter oxygen storage and catalytic coatings.Ce₂O₃
Cerium(III) OxideCeramic and redox chemistry research.Ce(NH₄)₂(NO₃)₆
Cerium Ammonium NitrateCAN oxidant in organic synthesis.Ce₂(SO₄)₃
Cerium(III) SulfateRare example of a salt with retrograde solubility behavior.- Cerium dioxide polishing powders for optical glass, lenses and display glass
- Oxygen-storage component in automotive catalytic converters
- Mischmetal for lighter flints and pyrophoric alloys
- Self-cleaning oven coatings and catalytic surfaces
- Cerium ammonium nitrate as a one-electron oxidant in organic chemistry
Cerium has no known essential biological role. Cerium oxide nanoparticles are studied because the Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ redox cycle can interact with reactive oxygen species.
- Cerium is more abundant in Earth’s crust than some familiar metals such as copper.
- CeO₂ works as an oxygen buffer because cerium can switch between +3 and +4 oxidation states.
- Cerium oxide polishing is used for high-quality optical and display glass finishing.
- Cerium is a major component of mischmetal, the sparking alloy used in lighter flints.
- Cerium has atomic number 58 and electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹ 5d¹ 6s².
- Unlike many lanthanides, cerium commonly shows both +3 and +4 oxidation states.
- CeO₂ is cerium dioxide and is central to polishing and catalytic converter chemistry.
- Cerium is the most abundant lanthanide.
What is the atomic number of cerium?
The atomic number of cerium is 58.
What is the electron configuration of cerium?
Cerium has the electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹ 5d¹ 6s².
What is cerium used for?
Cerium is used in glass polishing powders, catalytic converters, mischmetal, self-cleaning ovens and oxidation chemistry.
What is cerium oxide used for?
Cerium oxide is used for polishing glass and as an oxygen-storage catalyst material in automotive catalytic converters.
Why is cerium important in catalytic converters?
Cerium can switch between Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺, allowing cerium oxide to store and release oxygen during exhaust treatment.
Is cerium a rare earth element?
Yes. Cerium is a rare earth element and the most abundant lanthanide.