Neodymium oxychloride or neodymium oxide chloride is an inorganic compound of neodymium, oxygen, and chlorine with the chemical formula NdOCl.
Synthesis NdOCl can be synthesized by reacting neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) and calcium dichloride (CaCl2).
Nd2O3 + CaCl2 → 2NdOCl + CaO
Physical properties The compound forms crystals of tetragonal system, space group P4/nmm. It exhibits paramagnetic susceptibility and structural stability.
Chemical properties NdOCl can be reduced to metallic neodymium through high-temperature electrolysis, specifically within the FFC (Fray-Farthing-Chen) process.
NdOCl + 1.5Ca → Nd + CaO + 0.5CaCl2
Uses NdOCl has been investigated as a cathode material for the extraction of metallic neodymium.
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