Europous chloride, EuCl₂

Europous chloride, EuCl₂, is prepared by heating the anhydrous trichloride to 400°-450° in a current of dry hydrogen. It is a colourless, amorphous solid, which dissolves in cold water, forming a neutral solution. The aqueous solution oxidises on boiling: - 12EuCl₂ + 3O₂ + 6H₂O = 8EuCl₃ + 4Eu(OH)₃.