When sodium phosphate is added to a slightly acid solution of a ceric salt, a yellow precipitate is obtained. According to Hartley, the composition of this precipitate (dried in vacuo over sulphuric acid) is in accordance with the formula 2CeIV2H(PO4)3.25H2O, but this cannot be considered as definitely established.
Ceric pyrophosphate, CeP2O7.xH2O(?), like the corresponding thorium salt, is practically insoluble in dilute mineral acids. It is obtained as a yellow precipitate by warming a solution of cerous pyrophosphate in hydrochloric acid with bromine. |