The reduction of Ytterbium(III) to Ytterbium(II) using magnesium

Over five hundred individual experiments were performed with the objective of finding a means of totally reducing Yb³⁺ to Yb²⁺ with a reducing metal and removing this Yb²⁺ from an original Ln system. These experiments were run in non-aqueous solvents due to the instability of Yb²⁺ in H₂0. Of particular interest was the separation of Yb³⁺ and Lu³⁺. The best system for the production of Yb²⁺ was found to be the use of 50 mesh Mg powder in the non-aqueous solvent 50/50 dioxane/ethanol. Though separation of Yb³⁺ and Lu³⁺ was not achieved, considerable enrichment of Lu³⁺ in a saturated Ln system containing mostly Yb³⁺ and Lu³⁺ was realized. It was shown that displacement of about 50 percent of the Yb from solution was possible, with little to no displacement of Lu³⁺ from solution. Further, this process could be used to isolate solid YbCl² with little or no modification to the system.