Some say PRAH-see-oh-dee-mium, others PRAISE-yo-deem-yum but however you say it this is definitely one of the more bizarrely named of the elements. Blame it on the Greeks whose name for the word green is "prasinos" and after which the metal was named since it forms a greenish oxide. A piece of shiny Pr left on a windowsill will initially turn darker and darker over the course of several days and, eventually, begins to shed little chunks of this oxide which turn off-white with a yellow-green tinge.

Like its neighbors on the lanthanides row, Pr along with La, Ce and Nd all need to be protected from that shine-killing O2. For this reason, it is shipped and should remain stored in mineral oil. However, it can be handled with bare hands without worry - just be sure to plop it back in the oil when finished (and wash your hands).

Note additional options for this element on the Ampules section

CAS 7440-10-0