YTTERBIUM(III) TRIFLUOROMETHANESULFONATE HYDRATE

Uses

Ytterbium(III) Trifluoromethanesulfonate functions as a catalyst in the organic synthesis of heterocycles. Also functions as a Lewis acid in variety of organic reactions.

Uses

Versatile rare earth metal catalyst in organic synthesis.

Preparation

Ytterbium(III) Trifluoromethanesulfonate is prepared by addition of an excess of ytterbium(III) oxide (commercially available, 99.9%) to an aqueous solution of Trifluoromethanesulfonic Acid (50% v/v) followed by heating at boiling for 0.5-1 h. The mixture is then purified by filtration to remove unreacted ytterbium oxide; residual water is removed under reduced pressure. The resultant hydrate is dried by heating under vacuum (1 mmHg) at 180 to 200 °C for 48 h. The reagent is then used without further purification.^[1] The organoytterbium reagent is prepared at -78 °C from Yb(OTf)3 and organolithiums or organomagnesiums.^[2]

reaction suitability

core: ytterbium
reagent type: catalyst

storage

Ytterbium(III) Trifluoromethanesulfonate forms hydrates in aqueous media in the presence of amines; however, it survives mild aqueous workup.

References

1. Forsberg, J. H.; Spaziano, V. T.; Balasubramanian, T. M.; Liu, G. K.; Kinsley, S. A.; Duckworth, C. A.; Poteruca, J. J.; Brown, P. S.; Miller, J. L. JOC 1987, 52, 1017.
2. Molander, G. A.; Burkhardt, E. R.; Weinig, P. JOC 1990, 55, 4990