Lanthanum Chloride Heptahydrate
LANTHANUM CHLORIDE, LANTHANUM CHLORIDE 7H2O, LANTHANUM CHLORIDE HYDRATE, LANTHANUM CHLORIDE, HYDROUS
- CAS
- 10025-84-0
- EC
- 640-503-8
- Sectors
- Oil, Gas & Energy, Water & Wastewater Treatment, Home Care & Industrial Cleaning, Pharma & Healthcare, Electronics & Solar PV
Lanthanum Chloride Heptahydrate (LaCl₃·7H₂O; MW 371.37 g/mol) is a white, wet crystalline aggregate that dissolves readily in water, alcohols, and acids. Commercially available in Technical Grade through high-purity lots from 2N to 5N, it is quoted on a rare earth oxide basis with La₂O₃/TREO purity reaching 99.9 % and above in refined grades; the heptahydrate form carries a typical TREO content of approximately 43–45 %.
Its primary industrial function is as a soluble lanthanum source for ion-exchange, precipitation, and catalyst-preparation processes. The heptahydrate is the preferred handling form where controlled dissolution rate and lower hygroscopicity relative to the anhydrous salt (CAS 10099-58-8) are required; a 20–28 % TREO aqueous solution is also commercially available as a related liquid form.
Lanthanum Chloride Heptahydrate
Applications
- Oil, Gas & Energy: Used in zeolite Y ion exchange during fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst manufacture, where lanthanum stabilises the zeolite framework and raises thermal resistance under regeneration conditions.
- Water & Wastewater Treatment: Serves as the lanthanum source for precipitating phosphate as sparingly soluble lanthanum phosphate (LaPO₄), enabling phosphate removal from municipal and industrial effluents; also used in the preparation of lanthanum-modified bentonite for lake and reservoir management.
- Pharma & Healthcare: Acts as a precursor in the production of lanthanum carbonate, a phosphate-binding compound used in end formulations for renal applications.
- Electronics & Solar PV: Supplies lanthanum for the production of lanthanum hexaboride (LaB₆) cathodes and rare-earth phosphors used in display and lighting applications.
- Home Care & Industrial Cleaning: Incorporated into pool and recreational-water treatment formulations as a phosphate-sequestering agent to control algae growth.
- Oil, Gas & Energy: Functions as a catalyst precursor in Ziegler–Natta-type systems for the polymerisation of butadiene and isoprene in synthetic rubber production.
Safety & Risks
GHS Warning. H315 (skin irritation), H319 (serious eye irritation), H335 (respiratory irritation). Avoid generating dust; ensure adequate ventilation. Use safety glasses, chemical-resistant gloves, and a dust respirator. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area in tightly closed containers.
Packaging
25 kg double-PE-lined fibre drums; 1,000 kg big bags. Aqueous solution supplied in IBC containers. High-purity lots available in 1–5 kg sealed units. Store away from moisture.