Neodymium is the chemical element with symbol Nd and atomic number 60. It is a soft, silvery lanthanide best known for enabling some of the strongest permanent magnets commercially available.
Neodymium quick facts
| Property | Value |
| Symbol | Nd |
| Atomic number | 60 |
| Relative atomic mass | 144.242 |
| Period | 6 |
| Block | f-block |
| Density | 7.01 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 1016°C |
| Boiling point | 3074°C |
| Electron configuration | [Xe] 4f⁴ 6s² |
| Common oxidation state | +3 |
| CAS number | 7440-00-8 |
| Key isotope | ¹⁴²Nd |
Chemistry and occurrence
Neodymium forms mainly Nd³⁺ compounds. It rapidly tarnishes in air and reacts with water. Like most lanthanides, it occurs in monazite and bastnäsite and is separated from neighbouring rare earths by solvent extraction or ion exchange.
See the complete CleverlySmart periodic table.
Major uses
- NdFeB magnets: neodymium-iron-boron magnets provide very high magnetic strength and are used in electric motors, wind turbines, loudspeakers, hard drives and many compact electronic devices.
- Lasers: neodymium-doped YAG and glass lasers are used in manufacturing, medicine, rangefinding and research.
- Glass: neodymium colours glass violet, wine-red or grey and is used in specialist filters and protective eyewear.
- Catalysts: neodymium compounds are used in certain polymerisation reactions.
Neodymium isotopes
Natural neodymium contains several isotopes, including stable ¹⁴²Nd, ¹⁴³Nd, ¹⁴⁵Nd, ¹⁴⁶Nd and ¹⁴⁸Nd and extremely long-lived ¹⁴⁴Nd and ¹⁵⁰Nd. The samarium-neodymium isotope system is an important tool in geochronology. See the CleverlySmart isotope table.
Safety and environmental considerations
Neodymium has no known biological role. Metal powders can burn, and mining and separation of rare-earth ores can create chemical and radioactive waste challenges depending on the deposit. Neodymium magnets are also strong enough to cause pinch injuries or damage equipment if mishandled.
Discovery and name
Carl Auer von Welsbach separated neodymium from didymium in 1885. Its name comes from Greek words meaning new twin, referring to its close association with praseodymium.
