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white, gelatinous precipitate; however, impurities impart yellow, brown, or pink coloration; used to produce cerium salts to color glass [HAW93]

White gelatinous precipitate; decomposes on heating, forming oxide; soluble in acids and ammonium carbonate solution; insoluble in alkalis.

The pure compound is used in glazes and enamels as an opacifying agent. It also is used to make colored glass, imparting yellow color to the glass. The crude form is used in flaming arc lamps. Another application of this compound is in the preparation of several other cerium salts.

Cerium(III) hydroxide is obtained in industrial scale from monazide sand, (Ce, La, Th)PO4. In the laboratory, it may be prepared by treating caustic soda solution with cerium(III) chloride, followed by crystallization.
CeCl₃ + 3NaOH → Ce(OH)₃ + NaCl.