Ytterbium(II) iodide explained

Ytterbium(II) iodide is an iodide of ytterbium, with the chemical formula of YbI2. It is a yellow solid.

Preparation

Ytterbium(II) iodide can be prepared by heating ytterbium(III) iodide:[1]

2 YbI3 \xrightarrow[]{\Delta T 2 YbI
2 + I

2}

It can also be prepared by reacting metallic ytterbium with 1,2-diiodoethane in tetrahydrofuran:[2]

Yb + ICH2CH2I \xrightarrow[]{THF

YbI2 + H2C=CH2}

Although the reaction takes place at room temperature, due to the sensitivity of the reagents it is necessary to work anhydrous and under inert gas. Otherwise, if oxygen is present, rapid oxidation to ytterbium(III) takes place. This can be visually recognized by the color change from green to yellow solution.

Properties and uses

Ytterbium(II) iodide is a yellow solid that is very sensitive to air and moisture and is rapidly oxidized to ytterbium(III). It reacts with water to produce hydrogen gas and basic iodides, and reacts violently with acids.[1] Ytterbium(II) iodide sinters at 0.01 Torr from about 780 °C and gives a viscous melt at about 920 °C. It begins to disproportionate into ytterbium and ytterbium(III) iodide. At around 800 °C, a yellow sublimate of ytterbium(II) iodide is observed on the glass walls; this partly obscures the disproportionation. The melting point can therefore only be determined imprecisely.[1] [3]

Like samarium(II) iodide (SmI2), ytterbium(II) iodide is a reagent used in organic chemical reactions.[2]

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie. 201. 1. en. 1931-11-10. 207–220. 10.1002/zaac.19312010119. Zur Kenntnis der Halogenide der seltenen Erden. V. Über die Halogenide des Ytterbiums. G. Jantsch. N. Skalla. H. Jawurek.
  2. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 102. 8. en. 0002-7863. April 1980. 2693–2698. 10.1021/ja00528a029. Divalent lanthanide derivatives in organic synthesis. 1. Mild preparation of samarium iodide and ytterbium iodide and their use as reducing or coupling agents. Pierre-Marie Girard. Jean Louis Namy. Henri B. Kagan. Henri B. Kagan.
  3. Gmelins Handbuch der anorganischen Chemie, System Nr. 39, Band C 6, S. 199–200.