Samarium oxide is commonly white to off-yellow in color and is often encountered as a highly fine dust-like powder. It readily forms on the surface of samarium metal under humid conditions or temperatures over 150°C in dry air.

Crystal structure

Samarium oxide has a cubic structure.

Reactions

Samarium oxide dissolves in mineral acids, forming salts upon evaporation and crystallization:

Sm2O3 + 6 HCl → 2 SmCl3 + 3 H2O

The oxide can be reduced to metallic samarium by heating with a reducing agent, such as hydrogen or carbon monoxide, at elevated temperatures.

Uses

Samarium oxide is used in optical and infrared-absorbing glass to absorb infrared radiation. Also, it is used as a neutron absorber in control rods for nuclear power reactors. Samarium oxide catalyzes the dehydration and dehydrogenation of primary and secondary alcohols. Another use involves the preparation of other samarium salts.

Health hazards

Inhalation:May cause writhing, ataxia, labored respiration, walking on the toes with arched back, sedation, pneumoconiosis, hemoglobinemia, and lung granulomas.

Ingestion:May act as a blood anticoagulant.

Skin:No chronic health effects recorded.

Eye:No chronic health effects recorded.

Target Organs: These may affect the blood and lungs.