_oxide_sample.jpg) | |
| Names | |
|---|---|
| Other names Lutetium oxide, Lutetium sesquioxide | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) | |
| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.031.591 |
| EC Number |
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| |
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| Properties | |
| Lu2O3 | |
| Molar mass | 397.932 g/mol |
| Melting point | 2,490 °C (4,510 °F; 2,760 K) |
| Boiling point | 3,980 °C (7,200 °F; 4,250 K) |
| Solubility in other solvents | Insoluble |
| Band gap | 5.5 eV[1] |
| Structure | |
| Bixbyite | |
| Ia3 (No. 206) | |
| Related compounds | |
Otheranions | Lutetium(III) chloride |
Othercations | Scandium(III) oxide Yttrium(III) oxide |
| Supplementary data page | |
| Lutetium(III) oxide (data page) | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in theirstandard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Lutetium(III) oxide, a white solid, is acubic compound oflutetium sometimes used in the preparation of specialtyglasses. It is also calledlutecia. It is a lanthanide oxide, also known as arare earth.[2][3][4]
In 1879, Swiss chemistJean Charles Galissard de Marignac (1817–1894) claimed to have discovered ytterbium, but he had found a mixture of elements. In 1907, French chemistGeorges Urbain (1872–1938) reported that ytterbium was a mixture of two new elements and was not a single element. Two other chemists,Carl Auer von Welsbach (1858–1929) andCharles James (1880–1926) also extracted lutetium(III) oxide around the same time. All three scientists successfully separated Marignac's ytterbia into oxides of two elements which were eventually namedytterbium andlutetium). None of these chemists were able to isolate pure lutetium. James' separation was of very high quality, but Urbain and Auer von Welsbach published before him.[5][6]
Lutetium(III) oxide is an important raw material for laser crystals.[7] It also has specialized uses in ceramics, glass, phosphors, and lasers. Lutetium(III) oxide is used as a catalyst in cracking, alkylation, hydrogenation, and polymerization.[2] The band gap of lutetium oxide is 5.5 eV.[1]
