This might seem like a silly question, but why do all of the lanthanides use the +3 oxidation state? I know that some of them can use the +2 (europium, ytterbium) and the +4 (terbium, cerium, praseodymium) but their main oxidation states are +3.
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I would say it is an experimental result ! – Maurice Jun 12 '22 at 15:05
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5It's basically down to ionisation energies, see my answer here: https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/q/53712/16683 – orthocresol Jun 12 '22 at 15:05
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Thanks! I couldn't find any other post, but it seems like there are. – Praseodymium-141 Jun 12 '22 at 15:07
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Also see: https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/53605/predominance-of-iii-oxidation-state-for-lanthanides – Nilay Ghosh Jun 13 '22 at 02:28
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https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/87162/europium-stability-in-2-and-3-state/87169 – Nilay Ghosh Jun 13 '22 at 02:29