Lanthanum carbonate

Lanthanum carbonate [(La2(CO3)3] is the salt formed by the lanthanum(III) cation and carbonate anion. It is an ore of lanthanum metal, along with monazite.

Applications
Lanthanum carbonate is used as a lanthanum source for solid-state production of lanthanum strontium manganite, primarily for solid oxide fuel cell applications.

In medicine, lanthanum carbonate is used in medication known as a phosphate binder. As a medication it is sold under the trade name Fosrenol® by the pharmceutical company Shire Pharmaceuticals. It is prescribed for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia, primarily in patients with chronic renal failure. It is taken with meals and binds to dietary phosphate, preventing phosphate from being absorbed by the intestine.

Lanthanum carbonate is also used for the tinting of glass, for water treatment, or as a catalyst for hydrocarbon cracking.