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Molten salt electrolysis of neodymium from Nd 2 O 3 can be a viable alternative to calciothermic reduction. Two important issues merit attention: selection of an appropriate electrolyte and the mechanism of the neodymium deposition reaction. Cyclic voltammetry experiments and melting point considerations point to the eutectic LiF-CaF 2 as an appropriate electrolyte. The presence of CaF 2 polarises the Li deposition reaction to more cathodic potentials, thereby providing a larger potential window for the deposition of neodymium. Experiments with the LiF-CaF 2 -NdF 3 -Nd 2 O 3 and LiF-CaF 2 -LaF 3 -Nd 2 O 3 melts suggest that both [NdF 6 ] 32 and [NdOF 5 ] 42 , depending on their molar ratios, can be reduced to neodymium.

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