Terbium(III) chloride

Terbium(III) chloride (TbCl₃) is a chemical compound. In the solid state TbCl₃ has the YCl₃ layer structure.^[2] Terbium(III) chloride frequently forms a hexahydrate.

Terbium(III) chloride

Names
Other names terbium trichloride
Identifiers
CAS Number	10042-88-3 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ECHA InfoCard	100.030.108
EC Number	233-132-4
PubChem CID	61458
UNII	804HI855F8 N
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID9064926
InChI InChI=1S/3ClH.Tb/h3*1H;/q;;;+3/p-3
SMILES Cl[Tb](Cl)Cl
Properties
Chemical formula	TbCl3
Molar mass	265.2834 g/mol
Appearance	white powder
Density	4.35 g/cm3, solid
Melting point	558 °C (1,036 °F; 831 K)
Boiling point	180 to 200 °C (356 to 392 °F; 453 to 473 K) (in HCl gas atmosphere)
Solubility in water	soluble
Structure
Crystal structure	hexagonal (UCl3 type), hP8
Space group	P63/m, No. 176
Coordination geometry	Tricapped trigonal prismatic (nine-coordinate)
Hazards
GHS labelling:[1]
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H315, H319
Precautionary statements	P302+P352, P305+P351+P338
Related compounds
Other anions	Terbium(III) oxide
Other cations	Gadolinium(III) chloride Dysprosium(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

Preparation

The hexahydrate of terbium(III) chloride can be obtained by the reaction of terbium(III) oxide and hydrochloric acid:^[3]

Tb₂O₃ + 6 HCl → 2 TbCl₃ + 3 H₂O

It can also be obtained by direct reaction of the elements:^[4]

2 Tb + 3 Cl₂ → 2 TbCl₃

Properties

Terbium(III) chloride is a white, hygroscopic powder.^[5] It crystallizes in an orthorhombic plutonium(III) bromide crystal structure with space group Cmcm (No. 63).^[6][7] It can form a complex Tb(gly)₃Cl₃·3H₂O with glycine.^[8]

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.^[9]

Hazards

Terbium(III) chloride causes hyperemia of the iris.^[10] Conditions/substances to avoid are: heat, acids and acid fumes.