Ytterbium triflate

synthetischeYtterbium(III) Trifluoromethanesulfonate is prepared by addition of an excess of ytterbium(III) oxide (commercially available, 99.9%) to an aqueous solution of Trifluoromethanesulfonic Acid (50% v/v) followed by heating at boiling for 0.5-1 h. The mixture is then purified by filtration to remove unreacted ytterbium oxide; residual water is removed under reduced pressure. The resultant hydrate is dried by heating under vacuum (1 mmHg) at 180 to 200 °C for 48 h. The reagent is then used without further purification.[1] The organoytterbium reagent is prepared at -78 °C from Yb(OTf)3 and organolithiums or organomagnesiums.[2]