DYSPROSIUM CHLORIDE

Preparation

DyCl3 is usually prepared using the "ammonium chloride method," and the raw materials can be oxides, chlorides, chlorides, or dysprosium chloride hexahydrate. This method produces (NH4)2[DyCl5]:
10 NH4Cl + Dy2O3 → 2 (NH4)2[DyCl5] + 6 NH3 + 3 H2O DyCl3·6H2O + 2 NH4Cl → (NH4)2[DyCl5] + 6 H2O
The pentachloride undergoes thermal decomposition as follows:
(NH4)2[DyCl5] → 2 NH4Cl + DyCl3 The thermal decomposition reaction passes through the (NH4)[Dy2Cl7] intermediate.
Dy2O3 reacts with hydrochloric acid solution to crystallize the hexahydrate DyCl3·6H2O. Dysprosium chloride is a moderately strong Lewis acid, classified as a hard acid in the HSAB (hard acid-soft base) theory. In aqueous solution, it reacts with sodium fluoride to form dysprosium fluoride: DyCl₃ + 3 NaF → DyF₃ + 3 NaCl

Chemical Properties

-20 mesh with 99.9% purity; white powder(s) [STR93]; yellow, shining crystal(s) [MER06] [CER91]

Uses

Dysprosium Carbonate has specialized uses in laser glass, phosphors and Dysprosium Metal halide lamp. Dysprosium is used in conjunction with Vanadium and other elements, in making laser materials and commercial lighting. Dysprosium is one of the components of Terfenol-D,which is employed in transducers, wide-band mechanical resonators, and high-precision liquid-fuel injectors.

Uses

It is used as a precursor for the preparation of other dysprosiumsalts.

reaction suitability

reagent type: catalyst
core: dysprosium

Safety Profile

Poison by intraperitoneal route. Mildly toxic by ingestion. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Cl-. See also CHLORIDES and RARE EARTHS