YbF3

YbF3, or ytterbium(III) fluoride, is an inorganic compound consisting of trivalent ytterbium cations and fluoride anions. It is a white, crystalline solid that is characteristic of rare-earth fluorides, with a high melting point and very low solubility in water. As a fluoride of a lanthanide, it is typically used as a chemical precursor in the preparation of other ytterbium-containing materials.

Preparation methods for YbF3 include fluorination of ytterbium compounds with fluorinating agents such as hydrogen fluoride, sulfur hexafluoride, or fluorine at elevated temperatures. For example, heating Y2O3 with HF can yield YF3 and water. YbF3 can also be obtained by treating soluble ytterbium salts with fluoride sources, followed by purification and drying.

Properties and structure: YbF3 is an ionic compound that crystallizes in a lattice common to rare-earth fluorides, with Yb3+ coordinated by fluoride ions. It is stable in air as a solid and exhibits the chemical resilience typical of lanthanide fluorides. The compound has a high lattice energy, reflecting strong Yb–F bonds, and a correspondingly high melting point.

Applications: YbF3 primarily serves as a starting material or precursor in the synthesis of ytterbium-containing materials, including fluoride and oxide hosts for doping with ytterbium. It is used in laboratory contexts to prepare laser-host crystals, ceramics, and other advanced materials that rely on ytterbium as a dopant or reactant.

Safety: YbF3 is a salt of a fluoride and should be handled with standard laboratory precautions. Fluoride compounds can be hazardous if ingested or inhaled, and inhalation of dust or improper handling may irritate the respiratory tract. Proper storage away from moisture and acids is recommended.