3 Why is the separation of lanthanide elements
difficult?
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Answer:
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Explanation:
Lanthanides are difficult to separate from each other because of similarities in their physical and chemical properties. Most separation processes take advantage of a small decrease in ionic radius that occurs across the lanthanide series. ... The extractant liquid contains arms, called ligands, that grab the lanthanide
Answer:
Lanthanides are difficult to separate from each other because of similarities in their physical and chemical properties. Most separation processes take advantage of a small decrease in ionic radius that occurs across the lanthanide series. ... The extractant liquid contains arms, called ligands, that grab the lanthanide.Due to lanthanide contraction, the change in the atomic or ionic radii of these elements is very small. Hence, their chemical properties are similar. This makes their separation difficult.
A process known as ion exchange is then used to separate the lanthanides from each other. In this process, a solution of the lanthanides in ionic, soluble form is passed down a long column containing a resin. The lanthanide ions "stick" to the resin with various strengths based on their ion size.