Samarium(III) oxide is used in optical and infrared absorbing glass to absorb infrared radiation. It finds use as a neutron absorber in nuclear power reactors to control the reaction. It is also used as a catalyst for the dehydration of primary alcohols to aldehydes or ketones. It forms samarium perchlorate when treated with perchloric acid, which is used as a reference material for checking the wavelength scale of a spectrophotometer in the range of 200 to 500 nm.

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