Element charge lookup

What Is the Charge of Gadolinium?

Gadolinium commonly forms Gd3+ in introductory ionic compounds.

Quick answer: Gadolinium usually has a common ionic charge of +3, written as Gd3+.
ElementGadolinium
SymbolGd
Atomic number64
Common ionic charge+3
Common ionsGd3+

Why Gadolinium has this charge

Gadolinium is an lanthanide. Its chemistry can be specialized, but +3 is the most useful introductory reference range.

This is a classroom reference range, not an exhaustive list of all oxidation states.

Gadolinium charge examples

GdCl3

Gadolinium chloride

Gd3+ balances chloride ions.

Gd2O3

Gadolinium oxide

Gadolinium can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.

FAQ

Is Gadolinium 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.

Sources and data notes

More element charges