PR

Praseodymium (symbol Pr) is a chemical element with atomic number 59. It is a soft, silvery-gray metal of the lanthanide series. In air it gradually forms a protective oxide layer and is relatively reactive, especially at higher temperatures. The element’s salts are typically green, a trait that is reflected in its name.

Natural praseodymium consists of a single stable isotope, 141Pr. All other isotopes of praseodymium are radioactive with comparatively short half-lives, making 141Pr the principal naturally occurring form.

Discovery and naming: Praseodymium was isolated as a distinct element in 1885 by Carl Auer von Welsbach, who separated it from the mineral mixture didymium. The name derives from Greek prasios meaning “green” and didymos meaning “twin,” referring to the green colors of its compounds and its relation to didymium.

Occurrence and production: Praseodymium occurs in rare earth minerals such as monazite and bastnäsite. It is typically extracted as a by-product of processing these ores and refined through lanthanide separation techniques to obtain the pure metal and its compounds.

Applications: It is used in glass and ceramic coloration to produce green and yellow hues, and in phosphors for specialized lighting and display technologies. Praseodymium is also a component of misch metal alloys used in steelmaking and is found in some magnetic materials, including certain praseodymium-containing magnets used in niche applications.

See also: Praseodymium alloys, rare-earth elements, lanthanides.