Lutetium(III) chloride

Lutetium(III) chloride or lutetium trichloride is the chemical compound composed of lutetium and chlorine with the formula LuCl₃. It forms hygroscopic white monoclinic crystals^[1] and also a hygroscopic hexahydrate LuCl₃·6H₂O.^[6] Anhydrous lutetium(III) chloride has the YCl₃ (AlCl₃) layer structure with octahedral lutetium ions.^[7]

Lutetium(III) chloride

Names
IUPAC name Lutetium(III) chloride
Other names Lutetium chloride, lutetium trichloride
Identifiers
CAS Number	10099-66-8 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	23297 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.030.205
EC Number	233-240-1
PubChem CID	24919
RTECS number	OK8400000
UNII	2VY5D2E2HC Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID2064941
InChI InChI=1S/3ClH.Lu/h3*1H;/q;;;+3/p-3 Y Key: AEDROEGYZIARPU-UHFFFAOYSA-K Y InChI=1S/3ClH.Lu/h3*1H;/q;;;+3/p-3 Key: AEDROEGYZIARPU-DFZHHIFOAO Key: AEDROEGYZIARPU-UHFFFAOYSA-K
SMILES Cl[Lu](Cl)Cl
Properties
Chemical formula	LuCl3
Molar mass	281.325 g/mol
Appearance	colorless or white monoclinic crystals
Density	3.98 g/cm3
Melting point	925 °C (1,697 °F; 1,198 K)[1]
Boiling point	sublimes above 750°C[2]
Solubility in water	soluble[3]
Structure
Crystal structure	Monoclinic, mS16
Space group	C2/m, No. 12
Pharmacology
License data	EU EMA: by Lutetium (177 Lu) chloride
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards	Irritant
GHS labelling:[4][5]
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H315, H319, H335
Precautionary statements	P261, P264, P271, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P321, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362, P403+P233, P405, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	2 0 1
Related compounds
Other anions	Lutetium(III) oxide
Other cations	Ytterbium(III) chloride Scandium(III) chloride Yttrium(III) chloride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Lutetium-177, a radioisotope that can be derived from lutetium(III) chloride, is used in targeted cancer therapies.^[8] When lutetium-177 is attached to molecules that specifically target cancer cells, it can deliver localized radiation to destroy those cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.^[9] This makes lutetium-177-based treatments especially valuable for cancers that are difficult to treat with traditional methods, such as neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer.^[10] Additionally, lutetium(III) chloride is used in scintillators, materials that emit light when exposed to radiation.^[11] These scintillators are crucial in detectors for gamma rays and other high-energy particles, used in both medical diagnostics and in scientific research.^[12]

Reactions

Pure lutetium metal can be produced from lutetium(III) chloride by heating it together with elemental calcium:^[13]

2 LuCl₃ + 3 Ca → 2 Lu + 3 CaCl₂

See also

• Lutetium (177Lu) chloride