How Do Lanthanides Function in Oxidation Reactions?
In oxidation reactions, lanthanides often serve as oxidizing agents. For instance, cerium(IV) oxide (CeO2) is widely used in automotive catalytic converters to oxidize carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The high redox potential of cerium makes it effective in facilitating these reactions.