Gadolinium(III) fluoride is an inorganic compound with a chemical formula GdF3.
Gadolinium(III) fluoride can be prepared by heating gadolinium oxide and ammonium bifluoride. The reaction involves two steps:[1] [2]
Gd2O3 + 6 NH4HF2 → 2 NH4GdF4 + 4 NH4F + 3 H2O
NH4GdF4 → GdF3 + NH3 + HF
Alternatively, reacting gadolinium chloride with hydrofluoric acid and adding hot water produces GdF3·xH2O (x=0.53). Anhydrous gadolinium(III) fluoride can then be produced by heating the hydrate with ammonium bifluoride; without the bifluoride, GdOF is formed instead.[3]
GdCl3 + 3 HF + x H2O → GdF3·xH2O + 3 HCl
Gadolinium(III) fluoride is a white solid that is insoluble in water. It has an orthorhombic crystal structure with the space group Pnma (space group no. 62).[4]
Gadolinium(III) fluoride is used to produce fluoride glasses.[5]