I'm thinking of using dry CeCl3 to make organocerium reagent from alkyl lithium.

I have Aldrich anhydrous CeCl3 in my hand now, which appears to be nonsticky bead-type(free-rolling). I wonder if it's dry enough to be added directly into alkyl lithium solution. (in terms of trace moisture and solubility) 

Some posts on the web say that CeCl3 must be slowly dried up to 140'C but it's for CeCl3 heptahydrate, isn't it?

Thanks in advance for any help you are able to provide.