Description
Ceric Ammonium Nitrate (CAN)
An established reagent for oxidative chemistry. CAN contains cerium in the +4 oxidation state and has a different composition from cerium(III) nitrate — the products should not be treated as interchangeable.
Ceric Ammonium Nitrate (CAN), also called ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate, is a water-soluble cerium salt used in oxidative chemistry and quantitative analysis. Its chemistry includes single-electron oxidation processes, and its orange-red crystalline appearance is characteristic of the material.
Identity & general properties
- Chemical Name : Ceric Ammonium Nitrate (CAN)
- Alternative Name : Ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate
- CAS Number : 16774-21-3
- Chemical Formula : (NH₄)₂[Ce(NO₃)₆]
- Molecular Weight : 548.22 g/mol
- Appearance : Orange to orange-red crystalline solid
- Water Solubility : Soluble in water
Reference data only — not a batch Certificate of Analysis or a guaranteed sales specification.
Applications
- Organic synthesis — oxidizing reagent for selected transformations, including oxidative deprotection; reaction scope and selectivity depend on the substrate and conditions.
- Analytical chemistry — used in redox analysis, including suitably prepared and standardized titration solutions with a validated analytical procedure.
- Specialist etchant formulations — a component in certain chromium etchants. CAN is not itself a qualified ready-to-use etchant; electronic grade is not implied.
- Research & process development — reported in CAN-mediated carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bond-forming chemistry.
CAN is a chemical ingredient, not a qualified ready-to-use etchant formulation — confirm formulation and substrate compatibility before use. Request the current product specification and quotation to confirm assay, impurity limits, pack size and supply terms for your requirement.
Safety & Storage
Strong oxidizer. Exposure may cause serious burns and eye injury. Control dust and contact using suitable ventilation and PPE. Keep tightly closed in a cool, dry, ventilated area, away from combustible and reducing materials. Follow the current supplied SDS for complete handling, storage, disposal and transport requirements — this information is not an SDS.
Request a Quotation
Discuss your CAN requirement with Sontara Organo Industries. Send your application, target specification and quantity — assay, impurity limits, packing and delivery terms are subject to written confirmation. Request the approved specification, current SDS and batch COA.
For professional chemical use. End-use suitability must be evaluated by the customer. This product information is not an SDS.
Sources & Technical Reading
- TCI C1806 — Identity and reference properties.
- NIH NCATS — Ceric Ammonium Nitrate substance record.
- Thermo Scientific Chemicals 033254 — Applications.
- Nair, V.; Deepthi, A. Cerium(IV) Ammonium Nitrate — A Versatile Single-Electron Oxidant. Chem. Rev. 2007, 107, 1862–1891. DOI: 10.1021/cr068408n.
- Nair, V. et al. Recent advances in synthetic transformations mediated by cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate. Acc. Chem. Res. 2004, 37, 21–30. DOI: 10.1021/ar030002z.
- Fisher Scientific SDS A12882, Revision 21 December 2025.
- Merck 102277 — CAN volumetric solution for titration.
References concern CAN generally or other suppliers’ products; they do not certify Sontara specifications. This note is not an SDS.
