Dysprosium

Chemical reactions

Reaction of dysprosium with acids


Dysprosium metal dissolves readily in dilute sulphuric acid, forming Dy(III) ions (yellow complex with water) and hydrogen gas, H2. It has been suggested that the complex is mostly [Dy(H2O)9]3+

2 Dy(s) + 3 H2SO4(aq) 2 Dy3+(aq) + 3 SO42−(aq) + 3 H2(g)


Reaction of dysprosium with air


Dysprosium metal tarnishes slowly in air and burns readily, forming dysprosium(III) oxide, Dy2O3.3

4 Dy(s) + 3 O2(g) 2 Dy2O3(s)


Reaction of dysprosium with halogens


Dysprosium reacts with all the halogens, forming the corresponding dysprosium(III) halides.

2 Dy(s) + 3 F2(g) 2 DyF3(s) [green]
2 Dy(s) + 3 Cl2(g) 2 DyCl3(s) [white]
2 Dy(s) + 3 Br2(g) 2 DyBr3(s) [white]
2 Dy(s) + 3 I2(g) 2 DyI3(s) [green]


Reaction of dysprosium with water


Dysprosium reacts slowly with cold water, and quite quickly with hot water, forming dysprosium hydroxide, Dy(OH)3, and hydrogen gas (H2).

2 Dy(s) + 6 H2O(g) 2 Dy(OH)3(aq) + 3 H2(g)