Terbium(III) chloride explained

Terbium(III) chloride (TbCl₃) is a chemical compound. In the solid state TbCl₃ has the YCl₃ layer structure.^[1] Terbium(III) chloride frequently forms a hexahydrate.

Preparation

The hexahydrate of terbium(III) chloride can be obtained by the reaction of terbium(III) oxide and hydrochloric acid:^[2]

Tb₂O₃ + 6 HCl → 2 TbCl₃ + 3 H₂O

It can also be obtained by direct reaction of the elements:^[3]

2 Tb + 3 Cl₂ → 2 TbCl₃

Properties

Terbium(III) chloride is a white, hygroscopic powder.^[4] It crystallizes in an orthorhombic plutonium(III) bromide crystal structure with space group Cmcm (No. 63).^{[5] [6]} It can form a complex Tb(gly)₃Cl₃·3H₂O with glycine.^[7]

Applications

The hexahydrate plays an important role as an activator of green phosphors in color TV tubes and is also used in specialty lasers and as a dopant in solid-state devices.^[8]

Hazards

Terbium(III) chloride causes hyperemia of the iris.^[9] Conditions/substances to avoid are: heat, acids and acid fumes.

Notes and References

1. Wells A.F. (1984) Structural Inorganic Chemistry 5th edition Oxford Science Publications
2. 10.1016/S1002-0721(08)60253-7 . XU Lijuan (许丽娟), LI Yanqiu (李艳秋), LI Xia (李 夏) . Synthesis, crystal structure and characterization of one-dimension complex constructed by terbium(III) and 2-iodobenzoate . . 27 . 372–375 . 2009 . 3. 2009JREar..27..372X .
3. Webelements: Terbium
4. Book: CRC handbook of chemistry and physics: a ready-reference book of chemical and physical data . 2006 . CRC, Taylor & Francis . 978-0-8493-0487-3 . Lide . David R. . 87. ed., 2006-2007 . Boca Raton, Fla. . CRC Press.
5. Book: Paetzold, Peter . Chemie: Eine Einführung . 2009-09-10 . Walter de Gruyter . 978-3-11-021135-1 . de.
6. Book: Metals . Reidel . 978-90-277-2385-7 . Trotter . J. . Structure reports A . 30 November 1986 . Dordrecht.
7. 郑平, 陈文生, 张洪权,等. 量热法测定氯化铽甘氨酸配合物及其配离子的标准生成焓[J]. 湖北大学学报(自科版), 2011, 33(3):270-274.
8. METALL RARE EARTH LIMITED: Terbium chloride
9. Book: Ophthalmic toxicology. George C. Y. Chiou. 2nd. CRC Press. 1999. 1-56032-722-7.