CeCl3
Cerium chloride
Ce3+ balances chloride ions.
What Is the Charge of Cerium?
Cerium commonly forms Ce3+ Ce4+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Quick answer: Cerium usually has a common ionic charge of +3 or +4, written as Ce3+ or Ce4+.
| Element | Cerium |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Ce |
| Atomic number | 58 |
| Common ionic charge | +3, +4 |
| Common ions | Ce3+, Ce4+ |
Why Cerium has this charge
Cerium is an lanthanide. Its chemistry can be specialized, but +3, +4 is the most useful introductory reference range.
This is a classroom reference range, not an exhaustive list of all oxidation states.
Cerium charge examples
Ce2O3
Cerium oxide
Cerium can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.
FAQ
Is Cerium charge the same as oxidation state?
Ionic charge is the charge on an actual ion. Oxidation state is a bookkeeping number used inside compounds. They can match, but they are not always the same thing.
How do I use this in formulas?
Combine positive and negative ions so the total charge is zero. You can also use the ionic compound calculator.
Where can I see the full chart?
Use the periodic table with charges or the ionic charges chart.