Neodymium oxalate

Neodymium oxalate is the chemical compound with the formula Nd₂(C₂O₄)₃. At standard temperature and pressure, it is a lavender-colored solid. It is most commonly encountered in the process of purifying neodymium from magnets.

Properties

Chemical

Neodymium oxalate is inert to most strong acids, including but not limited to concentrated hydrochloric, sulfuric, and nitric acids. In order to turn this into a usable neodymium compound, it must first be calcined to neodymium(III) oxide.

Physical

Neodymium oxalate is a pink solid under natural light, and may acquire a yellow tinge under incandescent light.

Preparation

Neodymium oxalate may be prepared from an acid-dissolved neodymium magnet by the addition of copious amounts of oxalic acid (available as wood bleach). The iron is chelated into a green complex in solution, and the neodymium oxalate remains insoluble.

Projects

Isolation of neodymium from magnets

Handling

Safety

Neodymium is a heavy metal, and as such is toxic if ingested. Standard gloves should be safe to handle neodymium compounds with. Oxalates and oxalic acid are toxic by ingestion, and may lead to kidney stones and other deletirious side effects. The effects are somewhat mitigated by the fact that neodymium oxalate is inert and water-insoluble, however.

Storage

Neodymium oxalate can be stored safely in any container.

Disposal

Neodymium oxalate should be converted into a less toxic form (such as the oxide, a refractory material) before being disposed of.