Yttrium(III) chloride
Encyclopedia
Yttrium chloride (YCl3) is an ionic compound
of yttrium
and chlorine
. It is a salt
that is solid
at room temperature, highly soluble in water, and deliquescent. YCl3 in the solid state has a crystal structure with cubic 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 give a layer structure. This structure is shared by a range of compounds notably AlCl3.
YCl3 is used as a catalyst and in superconductors and has been linked to pulmonary edema
and liver
damage
.
with hydrochloric acid
,
among other methods.
Ion
An ion is an atom or molecule in which the total number of electrons is not equal to the total number of protons, giving it a net positive or negative electrical charge. The name was given by physicist Michael Faraday for the substances that allow a current to pass between electrodes in a...
of yttrium
Yttrium
Yttrium is a chemical element with symbol Y and atomic number 39. It is a silvery-metallic transition metal chemically similar to the lanthanides and it has often been classified as a "rare earth element". Yttrium is almost always found combined with the lanthanides in rare earth minerals and is...
and chlorine
Chlorine
Chlorine is the chemical element with atomic number 17 and symbol Cl. It is the second lightest halogen, found in the periodic table in group 17. The element forms diatomic molecules under standard conditions, called dichlorine...
. It is a salt
Salt
In chemistry, salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. They are composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
that is solid
Solid
Solid is one of the three classical states of matter . It is characterized by structural rigidity and resistance to changes of shape or volume. Unlike a liquid, a solid object does not flow to take on the shape of its container, nor does it expand to fill the entire volume available to it like a...
at room temperature, highly soluble in water, and deliquescent. YCl3 in the solid state has a crystal structure with cubic 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 give a layer structure. This structure is shared by a range of compounds notably AlCl3.
YCl3 is used as a catalyst and in superconductors and has been linked to pulmonary edema
Pulmonary edema
Pulmonary edema , or oedema , is fluid accumulation in the air spaces and parenchyma of the lungs. It leads to impaired gas exchange and may cause respiratory failure...
and liver
Liver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
damage
.
Reactions
Yttrium(III) chloride can be formed by reacting yttrium(III) oxideYttrium(III) oxide
Yttrium oxide is Y2O3. It is an air-stable, white solid substance. Yttrium oxide is used as a common starting material for both materials science as well as inorganic compounds.-Materials science:...
with hydrochloric acid
Hydrochloric acid
Hydrochloric acid is a solution of hydrogen chloride in water, that is a highly corrosive, strong mineral acid with many industrial uses. It is found naturally in gastric acid....
,
among other methods.