In modern separation techniques, individual lanthanoid elements are primarily separated from their complex ores using the ion-exchange method. What fundamental property makes this specific separation

Question

In modern separation techniques, individual lanthanoid elements are primarily separated from their complex ores using the ion-exchange method. What fundamental property makes this specific separation technique successful?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: C. Lanthanoids are extremely difficult to separate chemically because they all exhibit similar chemical properties and a common oxidation state. The ion-exchange method utilizes the lanthanoid contraction. Because the crystal ionic radii decrease from to , the size of their hydrated ions *increases* in the reverse order. This slight but steady variation in hydrated ionic size leads to different affinities for the ion-exchange resin, enabling successful separation.

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