Oxidation by Hydrogen in the Chemistry and Physics of the Rare‐Earth Metals

Abstract

Rare-earth metals (RE) easily react with hydrogen. For decades the bonding of hydrogen has been discussed controversially in terms of either the "proton model" or the "anion model". Detailed investigations of metal-rich compounds of the rare-earth metals provide clear evidence for the incorporation of hydrogen as a hydride anion. Several categories of compounds can be distinguished regarding their behavior towards hydrogen. Low-valence compounds with metal-metal bonding frequently provide their excess electrons to form hydride ions as found with the halide hydrides REXH(n). However, there are exceptions, such as, LaI which does not react with hydrogen as a result of special electronic and electrostatic conditions. The opposite is true with La(2)C(3) although this compound does not provide excess metal valence electrons. An amorphous phase La(2)C(3)H(1.5) forms at very low temperature, around 450 K. The presence of hydrogen strongly influences the electrical and magnetic properties, for example, spin-glass formation and colossal magneto resistance arising in the presence of 4f(n) cores with the lanthanoid elements.