Terbium(III) oxide

Terbium(III) oxide

Names
IUPAC name Terbium(III) oxide
Systematic IUPAC name Terbium(III) oxide
Other names Terbium trioxide Terbia Terbium sesquioxide
Identifiers
Jmol-3D images	Image
SMILES [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Tb+3].[Tb+3]
Properties
Chemical formula	Tb2O3
Molar mass	365.85 g/mol
Appearance	White solid
Odor	Odorless
Density	7.91 g/cm3
Melting point	2,410 °C (4,370 °F; 2,680 K)
Boiling point	Decomposes
Solubility in water	Insoluble
Solubility	Reacts with acids Insoluble in organic solvents
Vapor pressure	~0 mmHg
Hazards
Safety data sheet	Sigma-Aldrich
Flash point	Non-flammable
Related compounds
Related compounds	Terbium(III) chloride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Terbium(III) oxide, also known as terbium trioxide or terbia, is an oxide of terbium, with a chemical formula Tb₂O₃.

Properties

Chemical

Terbium(III) oxide readily dissolves in acids, resulting in the terbium salt of the said acid.

Physical

Terbium(III) oxide is a white solid, with a melting point of 2,410 °C.

Availability

Terbium(III) oxide is sold by various chemical suppliers.

Preparation

The precipitation of most terbium(III) compounds gives terbium(III) hydroxide, which can be converted to Tb₂O₃.

Terbium trioxide can be prepared by the reduction of terbium(III,IV) oxide (Tb₄O₇) with hydrogen at 1300 °C for 24 hours. This process is too complex for the amateur chemist, and it's cheaper to simply buy the compound.

Projects

• Make terbium salts
• Make terbium metal

Handling

Safety

Terbium trioxide shows moderate toxicity and has no known biological role.

Storage

Terbium(III) oxide should be stored in sealed containers, away from moisture and acidic vapors.

Disposal

Terbium(III) oxide can be either recycled or dumped in trash.

References

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