Lutetium(III) chloride


Lutetium chloride or lutetium trichloride is the chemical compound composed of lutetium and chlorine with the formula LuCl3. It forms hygroscopic white monoclinic crystals and also a hygroscopic hexahydrate LuCl3·6H2O. Anhydrous lutetium chloride has the YCl3 layer structure with octahedral lutetium ions. Its isotopologue lutetium (177Lu) chloride is used as a radioactive tracer for diagnosis and/or treatment in anti-cancer therapies.

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Pure lutetium metal can be produced from lutetium chloride by heating it together with elemental calcium: