Gadolinium(III) nitrate

Gadolinium(III) nitrate is an inorganic compound of gadolinium. This salt is used as a water-soluble neutron poison in nuclear reactors.^[1] Gadolinium nitrate, like all nitrate salts, is an oxidizing agent.

Gadolinium(III) nitrate

Identifiers
CAS Number	10168-81-7
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	140078 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.030.385
PubChem CID	159266
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID80890648
InChI InChI=1S/Gd.3NO3/c;3*2-1(3)4/q+3;3*-1 Y Key: MWFSXYMZCVAQCC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/Gd.3NO3/c;3*2-1(3)4/q+3;3*-1 Key: MWFSXYMZCVAQCC-UHFFFAOYAX
SMILES [Gd+3].O=[N+]([O-])[O-].[O-][N+]([O-])=O.[O-][N+]([O-])=O
Properties
Chemical formula	Gd(NO3)3
Molar mass	343.26 g/mol
Appearance	White crystalline solid
Density	2.3 g/cm3
Melting point	91 °C (196 °F; 364 K)
Solubility in water	Soluble
Hazards
Safety data sheet (SDS)	External MSDS
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

The most common form of this substance is hexahydrate Gd(NO₃)₃•6H₂O with molecular weight 451.36 g/mol and CAS Number: 19598-90-4.

Use

Gadolinium nitrate was used at the Savannah River Site heavy water nuclear reactors and had to be separated from the heavy water for storage or reuse.^[2][3] The Canadian CANDU reactor, a pressurized heavy water reactor, also uses gadolinium nitrate as a water-soluble neutron poison in heavy water.

Gadolinium nitrate is also used as a raw material in the production of other gadolinium compounds, for production of specialty glasses and ceramics and as a phosphor.