Ytterbium(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate hydrate

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

Versatile rare earth metal catalyst in organic synthesis.

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]

core: ytterbium
reagent type: catalyst

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

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