Erbium compounds

In this compound, erbium is octa-coordinated to form [Er(H2O)6Cl2]+ ions with the isolated Cl− completing the structure.

It is used, like other metal bromide compounds, in water treatment, chemical analysis and for certain crystal growth applications.

[19] Erbium(III) phosphide (ErP[20][21][22][23]) is also a pink solid that can be formed by the direct reaction of its constituent elements.

[30] The tetrahydrate of erbium(III) acetate is thermally decomposed at 90 °C, giving a proposed anhydride: Continuing heating to 310 °C will form ketene: At 350 °C, the proposed Er(OH)(CH3COO)2 loses acetic acid to yield a material of the formula ErOCH3COO, forming Er2O2CO3 at 390 °C, finally obtaining Er2O3 at 590 °C.

[31] Organoerbium compounds are very similar to those of the other lanthanides, as they all share an inability to undergo π backbonding.

They are thus mostly restricted to the mostly ionic cyclopentadienides (isostructural with those of lanthanum) and the σ-bonded simple alkyls and aryls, some of which may be polymeric.