Lanthanum carbonate hydrate

Lanthanum carbonate hydrate (CAS 54451-24-0) is the hydrated form of dilanthanum tricarbonate, formula La₂(CO₃)₃·xH₂O; a rare earth element (REE) product.

Where is Lanthanum carbonate hydrate used?

• Oil refining and petrochemicals: feedstock for fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst manufacture
• Pharmaceuticals: active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for hyperphosphataemia, binding dietary phosphate in the gastrointestinal tract
• Animal nutrition: EU-authorised feed additive in renal diet formulations for cats and dogs, a phosphate binder
• Water and wastewater treatment: precursor for lanthanum-based phosphate adsorbents and coagulants for phosphorus removal in municipal and industrial effluent
• Precursor for lanthanum oxide (La₂O₃), solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) electrolyte and electrode materials, superconductor compositions, and specialty optical and coloured glass
• The carbonate is dissolved in acid to produce lanthanum chloride or lanthanum nitrate solutions that stabilise zeolite-based FCC catalysts.

Good to know: Related crystalline forms include anhydrous dilanthanum tricarbonate (CAS 587-26-8) and the defined octahydrate (CAS 6487-39-4). Covered by the REACH registration of dilanthanum tricarbonate, 1,000–10,000 t/a tonnage band.

Commercial specifications

• Technical grades: TREO ≥ 45 %, La₂O₃/TREO ≥ 99–99.99 %, LOI 35–45 %, particle size −200 mesh
• Pharmaceutical grades: defined hydrate (3–6 mol water), USP and Ph. Eur. monographs, GMP, DMF or CEP documentation
• Packaging: 25 kg bags or drums; 500–1,000 kg big bags for bulk technical-grade supply