Lutetium(III) oxide, a white solid, is a cubic compound of lutetium sometimes used in the preparation of specialty glasses. It is also called lutecia. It is a lanthanide oxide.

History

In 1879, Jean-Charles-Galissard de Margnac (1817-1894), a French chemist, claimed to have discovered ytterbium, but actually he had found a mixture of elements. In 1907, a French chemist Georges Urbain (1872-1938) reported that ytterbium was a mixture of two new elements and not a single element. Two more chemists came to the same conclusion. They were from germany, Karl Auer (1858-1929) and America, Charles James (1880-1926). The two compounds they discovered were neoytterbium and lutecium. However, none of these chemists actually dealt with pure lutetium. The compound they found was usually lutetium oxide.

Uses

The product of Lu₂O₃ and PdO (formed at high pressure and temperature in the presence of potassium chlorate) has a potential use in superconducting materials. Lutetium(III) oxide is an important raw material for laser crystals. It also has specialized uses in ceramics, glass, phosphors, and lasers. Lutetium(III) Oxide is used as a catalyst in cracking, alkylation, hydrogenation, and polymerization.

References

• Macintyre, J.E. Dictionary of Inorganic Compounds volumes 1-3. London, UK: Chapman & Hall.
• Trotman-Dickenson, A.F. Comprehensive Inorganic Chemistry. Oxford, UK: Pergamon.