Europium(II) fluoride explained

Europium(II) fluoride is an inorganic compound with a chemical formula EuF₂. It was first synthesized in 1937.^[1]

Production

Europium(II) fluoride can be produced by reducing europium(III) fluoride with metallic europium or hydrogen gas.^[2]

2 EuF _{3} +Eu\longrightarrow3 EuF _{2} 2 EuF _{3} +H _{2} \longrightarrow2 EuF _{2} +2 HF

Properties

Europium(II) fluoride is a bright yellowish solid with a fluorite structure.

EuF₂ can be used to dope a trivalent rare-earth fluoride, such as LaF₃, to create a vacancy-filled structure with increased conductivity over a pure crystal. Such a crystal can be used as a fluoride-specific semipermeable membrane in a fluoride selective electrode to detect trace quantities of fluoride.^{[3] [4]}

Notes and References

1. Zhao Yongzhi, Ma Ying, Hou Shaochun, Zhang Wenjuan, Wang Jingjing, Ding Yanrong, Hao Yifan. 氟化亚铕研究现状 (lit. Research Progress of Europium(II) Fluoride). Chinese Rare Earths, 2017. 38 (5): 134-140. (in Chinese)
2. Georg Brauer: Handbuch der Präparativen Anorganischen Chemie. 3., umgearb. Auflage. Band I. Enke, Stuttgart 1975,, S. 255.
3. Light . Truman S. . Cappuccino . Carleton C. . Determination of fluoride in toothpaste using an ion-selective electrode . Journal of Chemical Education . April 1975 . 52 . 4 . 247–250 . 10.1021/ed052p247. 1133123 . 1975JChEd..52..247L .
4. Frant . Martin S. . Ross . James W. . Electrode for Sensing Fluoride Ion Activity in Solution . Science . 23 December 1966 . 154 . 3756 . 1553–1555 . 10.1126/science.154.3756.1553 . 1720460 . 5924922 . 1966Sci...154.1553F . 11042445 .