Ytterbium Hydroxide, Ytterbium Trihydroxide, 16469-20-8

YTTERBIUM HYDROXIDE (YTTERBIUM(III) HYDROXIDE) 

Chemical Name: Ytterbium(III) Hydroxide / Ytterbium Trihydroxide
CAS Number: 16469-20-8
EC Number: 240-518-6
UN Number: Not classified as dangerous for transport
Customs Tariff Code: 2846.90.20.00

1. PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION AND CHEMICAL IDENTITY

CHEMICAL STRUCTURE AND DESCRIPTION:

Ytterbium Hydroxide (Yb(OH)₃) is the hydroxide salt of ytterbium in the +3 oxidation state. It is a white, sparingly water-soluble solid that readily dissolves in strong acids . The compound exhibits a layered structure, which influences its reactivity and interaction with other substances . Ytterbium is a heavy lanthanide element with unique optical and electronic properties, particularly valuable for laser applications and optical materials. Ytterbium Hydroxide is a key precursor for ytterbium oxide (Yb₂O₃) production and is used in optical materials, electronic applications, and nanotechnology.

Structural Features:

• Sparingly soluble in water 

• Readily dissolves in strong acids 

• White solid appearance 

• Thermal decomposition yields Yb₂O₃ via YbO(OH) intermediate 

• Key precursor for ytterbium-based optical and electronic materials

• Layered structure 

• Paramagnetic due to single unpaired electron in 4f orbital 

2. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Ytterbium Hydroxide is a white, odorless solid with a molecular weight of 224.06 g/mol . It is sparingly soluble in water but readily dissolves in strong acids, forming ytterbium salts . Upon heating, it decomposes through an intermediate ytterbium oxyhydroxide (YbO(OH)) to ytterbium oxide (Yb₂O₃) . The compound is paramagnetic due to the single unpaired electron in the 4f orbital of the Yb³⁺ ion . The basicity of lanthanide hydroxides decreases across the series, making Yb(OH)₃ less basic than lighter lanthanide hydroxides like La(OH)₃ .

3. SOLUBILITY PROFILE

Ytterbium Hydroxide is sparingly soluble in water and insoluble in organic solvents . It readily dissolves in strong acids, forming the corresponding ytterbium(III) salts .

Acid Dissolution Reaction:
Yb(OH)₃ + 3H⁺ → Yb³⁺ + 3H₂O 

4. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND REACTIONS

Ytterbium Hydroxide is a basic metallic hydroxide . Upon heating, it undergoes thermal decomposition in stages: first forming ytterbium oxyhydroxide (YbO(OH)) at approximately 250-450°C, and upon further heating, ultimately yielding ytterbium(III) oxide (Yb₂O₃) at up to 600°C . It readily dissolves in acids to form ytterbium salts . The layered structure of the compound influences its reactivity .

Key Chemical Reactions:

Thermal Decomposition:
Yb(OH)₃ → YbO(OH) → Yb₂O₃ (~250-600°C) 

Acid Dissolution:
Yb(OH)₃ + 3HCl → YbCl₃ + 3H₂O
Yb(OH)₃ + 3HNO₃ → Yb(NO₃)₃ + 3H₂O

Precipitation Reaction:
Yb³⁺ + 3OH⁻ → Yb(OH)₃ ↓

5. SPECIFICATIONS (TECHNICAL AND HIGH PURITY)

Ytterbium Hydroxide is available in various grades from technical (≥ 99%) to high purity (≥ 99.99%). High purity grades are essential for optical, laser, and electronic applications .

6. APPLICATIONS AND INDUSTRIAL USES

6.1. Ytterbium Oxide (Yb₂O₃) Production (Most Important Application)

Ytterbium Hydroxide is an important precursor for ytterbium oxide (Yb₂O₃) production via thermal decomposition . Complete conversion to Yb₂O₃ occurs by ~600°C, offering significant energy savings compared to processing bulk Yb₂O₃ which requires temperatures well above 1000°C for sintering .

6.2. Optical and Laser Applications

Ytterbium compounds are used in optical glass production, laser crystals, and phosphor materials. The luminescent properties of Yb³⁺ are particularly valuable in bioimaging applications .

6.3. Battery Additives

6.4. Catalyst Support and Applications

Lanthanide-based nanoparticles, including those of ytterbium, are explored as Lewis acid catalysts in organic synthesis .

6.5. Biomedical Research

Ytterbium-containing nanoparticles are investigated for use as contrast agents in medical imaging and as components in drug delivery systems .

6.6. Nanotechnology

Ytterbium Hydroxide enables synthesis of morphologically-controlled Yb₂O₃ catalysts and phosphors, with nanosheet structures maintained after calcination at temperatures up to 1000°C .

6.7. Electronics and Semiconductor Applications

7. ALTERNATIVE / EQUIVALENT PRODUCTS

8. SECTOR SUITABILITY TABLE

9. COMMON NAMES

• Ytterbium hydroxide

• Ytterbium trihydroxide 

• Ytterbium(3+) trihydroxide 

• Ytterbium salt

• White hydroxide crystal

• Optical additive

10. PRODUCTION PROCESS

Reaction Equation:
YbCl₃ + 3NH₄OH → Yb(OH)₃ ↓ + 3NH₄Cl
or
Yb(NO₃)₃ + 3NaOH → Yb(OH)₃ ↓ + 3NaNO₃

Production Types: Technical and high purity grades

Major Producing Countries: China, India, United States

Commercial Purity: Ranges from 99% to 99.99%

11. SAFETY AND TOXICOLOGY

SPECIAL WARNINGS: Ytterbium Hydroxide is not classified as hazardous under GHS . However, like most trivalent lanthanide ions, free Yb³⁺ ions in solution can exhibit toxicity. Insoluble forms like Yb(OH)₃ significantly reduce this risk by limiting bioavailability . Standard laboratory safety precautions, including wearing gloves and safety glasses, should be followed when handling powder. Chronic exposure to high levels of related metal hydroxides has been studied for potential systemic effects . All products are for research and development use only; not for therapeutic, food, or cosmetic applications .

12. TRANSPORT INFORMATION

Ytterbium Hydroxide is not classified as dangerous for transport .

13. REGULATORY INFORMATION

Ytterbium Hydroxide is registered in all major industrial markets. KKDİK registration is required for use in Turkey.

14. STORAGE AND HANDLING

Handling Notes:

• Avoid dust formation and inhalation

• Avoid skin and eye contact (use protective gloves and safety goggles)

• Use in well-ventilated areas

• Keep away from strong acids

• Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area

• For professional research use only 

15. FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES

Ytterbium Hydroxide is not flammable. Thermal decomposition may release water vapor.

16. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

In case of spillage, appropriate personal protective equipment must be worn.

17. FIRST AID MEASURES

18. RAW MATERIALS AND DOWNSTREAM PRODUCTS

18.1. Raw Materials (Upstream)

18.2. Downstream Products

19. QUALITY CONTROL PARAMETERS

20. SUMMARY AND CRITICAL WARNINGS

SUMMARY:

Ytterbium Hydroxide (Yb(OH)₃, CAS 16469-20-8) is a white solid with a molecular weight of 224.06 g/mol . It is sparingly soluble in water but readily dissolves in strong acids . Thermal decomposition proceeds through ytterbium oxyhydroxide (YbO(OH)) to ytterbium oxide (Yb₂O₃) at ~600°C . The compound is paramagnetic due to the single unpaired electron in the 4f orbital of Yb³⁺ .

Its most important application is as a precursor for ytterbium oxide (Yb₂O₃) used in lasers, optical fibers, catalysts, and ceramics . Ytterbium Hydroxide enables low-temperature conversion to oxide at ~600°C, offering significant energy savings compared to processing bulk Yb₂O₃ . It is also used in optical glasses, laser crystals, battery additives , biomedical research (contrast agents, drug delivery) , and as a catalyst precursor .

The compound is not classified as hazardous under GHS . However, standard laboratory safety precautions should be followed . All products are for research and development use only; not for therapeutic, food, or cosmetic applications . Shelf life is approximately 2 years under proper storage conditions.

Key Properties:

Major Application Areas:

Key Safety Points:

• NOT HAZARDOUS: Not classified as hazardous under GHS 

• TRANSPORT: Not classified as dangerous for transport 

• HANDLING: Standard laboratory precautions (gloves, safety glasses) 

• STORAGE: Cool, dry, well-ventilated

• USAGE: Research use only; not for therapeutic or food applications 

CRITICAL WARNINGS:

1. LOW-TEMPERATURE CONVERSION ADVANTAGE: Ytterbium Hydroxide converts to Yb₂O₃ at ~600°C, >400°C lower than typical ceramic sintering temperatures when starting with bulk Yb₂O₃. This offers substantial energy savings, reduced thermal stress on equipment, and allows for creation of high-surface-area oxide powders .

2. MORPHOLOGY CONTROL: Ytterbium Hydroxide enables synthesis of morphologically-controlled Yb₂O₃ particles (e.g., nanosheets, nanorods). Nanosheet structures are maintained after calcination at temperatures up to 1000°C, which is critical for catalysis, phosphors, and advanced ceramics .

3. HOMOGENEOUS DOPING CAPABILITY: Synthesized via aqueous co-precipitation, Ytterbium Hydroxide allows for atomic-level mixing of dopant ions. This is essential for high-performance phosphors, lasers, and doped ceramics where uniform dopant distribution maximizes efficiency and prevents performance-degrading clustering .

4. BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS: Ytterbium-containing nanoparticles, often synthesized from precursors derived from Yb(OH)₃, are investigated for use as contrast agents in medical imaging and as components in drug delivery systems .

5. BASICITY TREND: The basicity of lanthanide hydroxides decreases as atomic number increases across the series; Yb(OH)₃ is less basic than lighter lanthanide hydroxides like La(OH)₃. This affects its reactivity and acid dissolution behavior .

6. CUSTOMS CLASSIFICATION: The correct customs tariff code is 2846.90.20.00.

7. REGULATORY COMPLIANCE: REACH, KKDİK, and TSCA registration requirements apply. Not permitted for food, cosmetic, or pharmaceutical applications .

Important Disclaimer: This Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is for informational purposes only. The information provided is based on available data and is believed to be accurate. However, the user is solely responsible for determining the suitability of the product for their specific applications and for complying with all applicable regulations and safety requirements. For complete safety, handling, storage, and regulatory compliance information, always refer to the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) provided by the manufacturer/supplier. All local, national, and international regulations must be followed when working with Ytterbium Hydroxide. All products are for research and development use only; not for therapeutic, food, or cosmetic applications .