Chemical
Properties
The oxide is hygroscopic and readily absorbs both water and carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere. It is insoluble in water but soluble
in strong mineral acids to form solutions of the Eu(III) ion,
the normal valency. The Eu(III)/Eu(II) couple, -0.43V, is such
that strong reducing agents can produce Eu(II) compounds. Of the
Eu(III) salts, the chloride and nitrate are soluble in water whereas
the hydroxide, carbonate and oxalate are insoluble.