alleryWhich lanthanoid is well known to exhibit the +4 oxidation state in aqueous solution as a strong oxidising agent?
ACe - Ce⁴⁺/Ce³⁺, E° = +1.74 V
BPm
CLa
DLu
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Ce - Ce⁴⁺/Ce³⁺, E° = +1.74 V
**Cerium** is unique: Ce⁴⁺ has noble-gas Xe configuration (4f⁰)
→ relatively stable.
**E°(Ce⁴⁺/Ce³⁺) = +1.74 V**
→ Ce⁴⁺ is a strong oxidiser (used in titrations, e.g., cerimetry).
*Note: Ce⁴⁺ can in principle oxidise water but the reaction is kinetically slow.*
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