Question:
Although +3 oxidation states are the characteristic oxidation state of lanthanoids cerium shows +4 oxidation state also. Why?
Solution:
Ce – [Xe] 4f1 5d1 6s2. Usually, lanthanoids lose the 5d and 6s electrons and show +3 oxidation state, but Cerium loses the one 4f electron also to attain Xenon’s noble gas configuration which will make Ce4+ very stable.
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