The anion [Ce(NO3)6]2− is generated by dissolving Ce2O3 in hot and concentrated nitric acid (HNO3).

[2] The salt consists of the hexanitratocerate(IV) anion [Ce(NO3)6]2− and a pair of ammonium cations NH+4.

In the redox process Ce(IV) is converted to Ce(III), a one-electron change, signaled by the fading of the solution color from orange to a pale yellow (providing that the substrate and product are not strongly colored).

In organic synthesis, CAN is useful as an oxidant for many functional groups (alcohols, phenols, and ethers) as well as C–H bonds, especially those that are benzylic.

The CAN-catalyzed three-component reaction between anilines and alkyl vinyl ethers provides an efficient entry into 2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines and the corresponding quinolines obtained by their aromatization.

The balanced equation is as follows: CAN is also a component of chrome etchant,[12] a material that is used in the production of photomasks and liquid crystal displays.