Lutetium (Lu)

General Information

• Symbol: Lu
• Atomic Number: 71
• Atomic Weight: 174.9668 u
• Element Category: Lanthanide
• Group: N/A (Lanthanides series)
• Period: 6
• Block: f-block

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Silvery-white metallic
• Density: 9.84 g/cm³
• Melting Point: 1663 °C (3025 °F)
• Boiling Point: 3402 °C (6156 °F)
• Phase at STP: Solid
• Electron Configuration: [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹ 6s²
• Oxidation States: +3 (most common)

Chemical Properties

• Reactivity: Lutetium is relatively stable in air and does not tarnish as quickly as some other rare earth metals. It reacts slowly with water to form lutetium hydroxide and with acids to form lutetium salts.
• Compounds: Forms compounds such as lutetium(III) oxide (Lu₂O₃), lutetium(III) chloride (LuCl₃), and lutetium(III) nitrate (Lu(NO₃)₃).

Uses and Applications

• Catalysts: Used in petroleum cracking processes and other catalytic applications.
• Medical Applications: Lutetium-177 is used in cancer therapy for targeted radiotherapy.
• Scintillators: Used in detectors for PET scanners and X-ray systems.
• Alloys: Added to metals to improve their strength and high-temperature stability.
• Phosphors: Used in some types of phosphors for lighting and display screens.

Occurrence and Extraction

• Natural Occurrence: Found in minerals such as xenotime, euxenite, and monazite, often alongside other rare earth elements.
• Extraction: Extracted through complex processes involving the crushing of ore, magnetic separation, and solvent extraction.

Isotopes

• Stable Isotopes: Lutetium-175 (the only naturally occurring isotope)
• Radioactive Isotopes: Several radioactive isotopes, including Lutetium-176 (used in geological dating) and Lutetium-177 (used in medical therapy).

Safety and Handling

• Hazards: Lutetium compounds are considered to have low toxicity, but dust and powders should be handled carefully to avoid inhalation or ingestion. Metallic lutetium can be a fire hazard in powder form.
• Precautions: Use appropriate protective equipment when handling lutetium and its compounds.

History

• Discovery: Discovered independently by Carl Auer von Welsbach and Georges Urbain in 1907.
• Name Origin: Named after Lutetia, the Latin name for Paris.

Additional Facts

• Crystal Structure: Hexagonal close-packed (hcp)
• Magnetic Properties: Paramagnetic
• Thermal Conductivity: 16.4 W/m·K
• Electrical Resistivity: 0.582 µΩ·m at 20°C

Summary

Lutetium is a versatile lanthanide with a wide range of applications in industry, medicine, and technology. It is particularly valuable in catalysts, medical therapies, and scintillation detectors. Discovered in 1907 and named after Paris, lutetium is found in several minerals and requires careful handling due to its reactive nature.

40 Question and Answer Pairs About Lutetium

1. What is the atomic number of Lutetium?

   • 71

2. What is the symbol for Lutetium?

   • Lu

3. What is the atomic weight of Lutetium?

   • 174.9668 u

4. In which group of the periodic table is Lutetium found?

   • Lanthanides series (no specific group)

5. What period is Lutetium in?

   • Period 6

6. What block does Lutetium belong to?

   • f-block

7. What is the density of Lutetium?

   • 9.84 g/cm³

8. What is the melting point of Lutetium?

   • 1663 °C (3025 °F)

9. What is the boiling point of Lutetium?

   • 3402 °C (6156 °F)

10. What is the electron configuration of Lutetium?

    • [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹ 6s²

11. What are the common oxidation states of Lutetium?

    • +3 (most common)

12. What is the appearance of Lutetium?

    • Silvery-white metallic

13. Is Lutetium reactive with air?

    • Relatively stable, does not tarnish quickly.

14. Name a compound of Lutetium.

    • Lutetium(III) oxide (Lu₂O₃)

15. What is a common use of Lutetium in catalysts?

    • Used in petroleum cracking processes.

16. How is Lutetium used in medical applications?

    • Lutetium-177 is used in cancer therapy for targeted radiotherapy.

17. What role does Lutetium play in scintillators?

    • Used in detectors for PET scanners and X-ray systems.

18. How is Lutetium used in alloys?

    • Added to metals to improve strength and high-temperature stability.

19. What is a phosphor application of Lutetium?

    • Used in some types of phosphors for lighting and display screens.

20. How is Lutetium typically found in nature?

    • In minerals such as xenotime, euxenite, and monazite.

21. What is the most stable isotope of Lutetium?

    • Lutetium-175

22. What safety hazard is associated with Lutetium dust?

    • It can be a fire hazard.

23. Who discovered Lutetium?

    • Discovered independently by Carl Auer von Welsbach and Georges Urbain.

24. Where does the name Lutetium come from?

    • Named after Lutetia, the Latin name for Paris.

25. What is the crystal structure of Lutetium at room temperature?

    • Hexagonal close-packed (hcp)

26. Is Lutetium paramagnetic or diamagnetic at room temperature?

    • Paramagnetic

27. What is the thermal conductivity of Lutetium?

    • 16.4 W/m·K

28. What is the electrical resistivity of Lutetium at 20°C?

    • 0.582 µΩ·m

29. What is the primary oxidation state of Lutetium in its compounds?

    • +3

30. Is Lutetium found as a free element in nature?

    • No, it is found in minerals.

31. What is the common name of Lutetium(III) chloride?

    • LuCl₃

32. What is a major application of Lutetium in the medical field?

    • Lutetium-177 for cancer therapy.

33. How does Lutetium benefit the nuclear industry?

    • Used as a neutron absorber.

34. What is the melting point of Lutetium in Kelvin?

    • 1936 K

35. What group does Lutetium belong to in the periodic table?

    • Lanthanides series

36. What is the natural abundance of Lutetium-175?

    • It is the only naturally occurring isotope.

37. Can Lutetium be used in high-temperature applications?

    • Yes, particularly in alloys.

38. What is the key property that makes Lutetium valuable in scintillators?

    • Its ability to detect radiation in PET scanners and X-ray systems.

39. How is Lutetium used in the chemical industry?

    • Mainly in research and specialized applications.

40. What precautions should be taken when handling Lutetium?

    • Use appropriate protective equipment to avoid inhalation or ingestion.