Characteristic

 

Ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) is the inorganic compound with the formula (NH4)₂Ce(NO₃)₆. This orange-red, water-soluble cerium salt is a specialised oxidizing agent in organic synthesis and a standard oxidant in quantitative analysis.

Chemical formula：H₈N₈CeO₁₈

Molar mass：548.218 g•mol⁻¹

Appearance：orange-red crystals

Melting point：107 to 108 °C (225 to 226 °F; 380 to 381 K)

Solubility in water：141 g/100 mL (25 °C)；227 g/100 mL (80 °C)

 

Application

 

Analytical chemistry, as an oxidant for organic compounds, as a polymerization catalyst for olefins, and as a scavenger in the manufacture of azides. Cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate is widely utilized as an oxidant for many functional groups like alcohols, phenols and ethers as well as C-H bonds. It acts as a deprotection reagent for alcohol in organic synthesis. It is useful in the synthesis of heterocycles like quinoxaline derivatives which is used in dyes, organic semiconductors and DNA cleaving agents. It is an active component of chrome etchant, which is used in the production of photomasks and liquid crystal displays.