The chemical decomposition of rare earth nitrates: a new method for the enrichment of heavy yttrium earth nitrates in kg-quantities

On addition of oxidizable organic substances to molten rare earth nitrates reaction takes place with evolution of nitric oxides and formation of basic nitrates, the two-step hydrolysis of which results in effective enrichment of heavy yttrium earths (YE) from rare earth mixtures in kg-quantities. Using methanol as reducing agent the reaction takes place at 160 deg C, much lower than using the method of purely thermal decomposition. In both methods after the first hydrolysis step a product YE(OH)1.5(NO3)1.5.H2O can be isolated. (authors)