Handbook on the Physics and Chemistry of Rare Earths, Vol. 38

The first chapter (236) in this volume of the Handbook on the Physics and Chemistry of Rare Earth is a recount of the scientific achievements and contributions made by the late Professor LeRoy Eyring (1919-2005) to the science of the higher lanthanide oxides, i.e. CeOx, PrOx and TbOx where x d 1.5. LeRoy had a broad range of interests in the chemistry of the rare earths and actinides but the main focus of his outstanding scientific career was concerned with the lanthanide higher oxides. Professor Eyring was a co-editor of the first 32 volumes of the Handbook. The following four chapters describe rare earth compounds which have three or more chemical constituents: the metallic-like systems in Chapters 237 through 239; or anionic assemblies ¡V the polyoxometalates in Chapter 240. Chapter 237 is a continuation of reviews on ternary rare earth ¡V transition metal ¡V nontransition elements (such as silicon, germanium, tin and indium) systems and covers phase relationships, crystallography and physical properties of the rare earth ¡V transition metal ¡V plumbides. Both binary and ternary higher borides, i.e. RBx where x d 6, are examined in Chapter 238 that describes a number of unusual phenomena discovered recently in covalently bonded boron networks. The main topic of Chapter 239 deals with the interplay between co-existing magnetism and superconductivity in the quaternary rare earth-nickel-boron-carbon compounds, RNi2B2C. The last chapter (240) reviews the structures, photophysical properties, catalytic behaviors, and biological applications of the complex rare earth compounds formed with hexavalent molybdenum- or tungsten-containing metalates.Gschneidner Jr., Karl A. is the author of 'Handbook on the Physics and Chemistry of Rare Earths, Vol. 38', published 2008 under ISBN 9780444521439 and ISBN 0444521437.