Chapter 229 Applications of tetravalent cerium compounds

This chapter provides an overview of the applications of tetravalent cerium compounds in solution and role in oscillating reactions. It discusses their application in biochemical research and highlights some exotic applications. Cerium(IV) salts are very versatile reagents for a myriad of organic reactions. The unique reactivity is mainly based on the fact that Ce4+ is a strong one-electron oxidant and it is thus able to generate radicals and radical cations, promoting radical reactions. Cerium(IV) salts are also very useful reagents for the functionalization of alkenes and are effective catalysts in esterification reactions. Other uses of cerium(IV) in reactions are demonstrated by its capability of removing protecting groups and splitting of organometallic compounds. Cerium(IV) ions also catalyze oxidation by bromate ions, oxidation by peroxides, and oxidation by molecular oxygen. In addition, cerium(IV) finds use in electrosynthesis and initiation of radical polymerization reactions. Whereas some applications like cerium(IV) salts as oxidizing agents in redox titrations (cerimetry) are one of the oldest applications of rare earths and are now of less importance, other applications still needs to be further developed..