Yttrium(III) chloride

Yttrium(III) chloride is an inorganic compound of yttrium and chloride. It exists in two forms, the hydrate (YCl₃(H₂O)₆) and an anhydrous form (YCl₃). Both are colourless salts that are highly soluble in water and deliquescent.

Yttrium(III) chloride

Yttrium(III) chloride Part of a layer in the crystal structure of YCl3[1]
Unit cell Layer packing
Names
IUPAC names Yttrium(III) chloride Yttrium trichloride
Identifiers
CAS Number	10361-92-9 Y
3D model (JSmol)	anhydrous: Interactive image hexahydrate: Interactive image
ChemSpider	59696 Y hexahydrate: 175148
ECHA InfoCard	100.030.716
EC Number	hexahydrate: 233-801-0
PubChem CID	10198055 hexahydrate: 16211498
RTECS number	ZG3150000
UNII	11521XLD38 Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID2042515
InChI InChI=1S/3ClH.Y/h3*1H;/q;;;+3/p-3 Y Key: PCMOZDDGXKIOLL-UHFFFAOYSA-K Y InChI=1/3ClH.Y/h3*1H;/q;;;+3/p-3 Key: PCMOZDDGXKIOLL-DFZHHIFOAW hexahydrate: InChI=1S/3ClH.6H2O.Y/h3*1H;6*1H2;/q;;;;;;;;;+3/p-3 Key: IINACGXCEZNYTF-UHFFFAOYSA-K
SMILES anhydrous: [Y+3].[Cl-].[Cl-].[Cl-] hexahydrate: [OH2+][Y-3]([OH2+])([OH2+])([OH2+])([OH2+])[OH2+].[Cl-].[Cl-].[Cl-]
Properties
Chemical formula	YCl3
Molar mass	195.265 g/mol[2]
Appearance	white solid
Density	2.61 g/cm3[2]
Melting point	721 °C (1,330 °F; 994 K)[2]
Boiling point	1,482 °C (2,700 °F; 1,755 K)[2]
Solubility in water	751 g/L (20 °C)[2]
Solubility	601 g/L ethanol (15 °C) 606 g/L pyridine (15 °C)[3]
Structure[4]
Crystal structure	Monoclinic, mS16
Space group	C2/m, No. 12
Lattice constant	a = 0.692 nm, b = 1.194 nm, c = 0.644 nm α = 90°, β = 111°, γ = 90°
Formula units (Z)	4
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H315, H319, H335
Precautionary statements	P261, P264, P271, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	1 0 0
Safety data sheet (SDS)	External MSDS
Related compounds
Other anions	Yttrium(III) fluoride Yttrium(III) bromide Yttrium(III) iodide
Other cations	Scandium(III) chloride Lutetium(III) chloride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Structure

Solid YCl₃ adopts a cubic^{[citation needed]} structure with close-packed chloride ions and yttrium ions filling one third of the octahedral holes and the resulting YCl₆ octahedra sharing three edges with adjacent octahedra, giving it a layered structure.^[5][1] This structure is shared by a range of compounds, notably AlCl₃.

Preparation and reactions

YCl₃ is often prepared by the "ammonium chloride route," starting from either Y₂O₃ or hydrated chloride or oxychloride.^[6][7] or YCl₃·6H₂O.^[8] These methods produce (NH₄)₂[YCl₅]:

10 NH₄Cl + Y₂O₃ → 2 (NH₄)₂[YCl₅] + 6 NH₃ + 3 H₂O

YCl₃·6H₂O + 2 NH₄Cl → (NH₄)₂[YCl₅] + 6 H₂O

The pentachloride decomposes thermally according to the following equation:

(NH₄)₂[YCl₅] → 2 NH₄Cl + YCl₃

The thermolysis reaction proceeds via the intermediacy of (NH₄)[Y₂Cl₇].

Treating Y₂O₃ with aqueous HCl produces the hydrated chloride (YCl₃·6H₂O). When heated, this salt yields yttrium oxychloride rather than reverting to the anhydrous form.