Terbium(III) chloride


Terbium chloride is a chemical compound. In the solid state TbCl3 has the YCl3 layer structure. Terbium chloride frequently forms a hexahydrate.

Preparation

The hexahydrate of terbium chloride can be obtained by the reaction of terbium(III) oxide and hydrochloric acid:
It can also be obtained by direct reaction of the elements:

Properties

Terbium chloride is a white, hygroscopic powder. It crystallizes in an orthorhombic plutonium(III) bromide crystal structure with space group Cmcm. It can form a complex Tb3Cl3·3H2O with glycine.

Applications

The hexahydrate plays an important role as an activator of green phosphors in color TV tubes and is also used in specialty lasers and as a dopant in solid-state devices.

Hazards

Terbium chloride causes hyperemia of the iris.