Element Erbium
A silvery-white solid metal when artificially isolated, natural erbium is always found in chemical combination with other elements.
It is a lanthanide, a rare earth element, originally found in the gadolinite mine in Ytterby in Sweden, from which it got its name.
Erbium is a chemical element with the symbol Er and atomic number 68.
Names and Identifiers
| Chemical Formula: | Er |
| CAS: | 7440-52-0 |
| Molecular Weight: | 167.25900 g/mol |
| EC Number : | 231-160-1 |
| MDL Number: | MFCD00010987 |
| Color: | silvery-white |
| Other Names: | Erbio |
| PubChem CID: | 23980 |
| IUPAC Name: | Erbium |
| Inchl: | InChI=1S/Er |
| InChI Key: | UYAHIZSMUZPPFV-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| Canonical SMILES: | [Er] |
| ICSC Number: | n/a |
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Phase: | Solid |
| Density: | 9.066 g/cm³ |
| Boiling Point: | 3141 K (2868 °C, 5194 °F) |
| Melting Point: | 1802 K (1529 °C, 2784 °F) |
| Molecular Formula: | Er |
| Flash Point: | n/a |
| Exact Mass: | 165.93000 |
| Symbol: |  |
| Signal Word: | Warning |
| Hazard Statements: | H228 |
| Precautionary Statements: | P210 |
| Hazard Codes: | F:Highlyflammable; |
| Risk Phrases: | R11 |
| Safety Phrases: | S43 |
| RIDADR: | UN 3089 4.1/PG 2 |
| WGK Germany: | 3 |
| RTECS: | n/a |
| Packaging Group: | III |
| Hazard Class: | 8 |
Erbium has six stable isotopes but only Er-168 appears to have a well established application. Er-168 is used for the production of Er-169 which is used in form of citrate for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Naturally occurring isotopes
| Isotope | Mass/Da | Natural abundance (atom %) | Nuclear spin (I) | Magnetic moment (μ/μN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 162Er | 161.928775 (4) | 0.14 (1) | 0 | |
| 164Er | 163.929198 (4) | 1.61 (3) | 0 | |
| 166Er | 165.930290 (4) | 33.61 (35) | 0 | |
| 167Er | 166.932046 (4) | 22.93 (17) | 7/2 | -0.5665 |
| 168Er | 167.932368 (4) | 26.78 (26) | 0 | |
| 170Er | 169.935461 (4) | 14.93 (27) | 0 |
Radiosotope data
| Isotope | Mass/Da | Half-life | Mode of decay | Nuclear spin | Nuclear magnetic moment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 160Er | 159.92908 | 1.19 d | EC to 160Ho | 0 | |
| 161Er | 160.9300 | 3.21 h | EC to 161Ho | 3/2 | -0.37 |
| 163Er | 162.93003 | 1.25 h | EC to 163Ho | 5/2 | 0.557 |
| 165Er | 164.930723 | 10.36 h | EC to 165Ho | 5/2 | 0.643 |
| 169Er | 168.934588 | 9.40 d | β– to 169Tm | 1/2 | 0.515 |
| 171Er | 170.938026 | 7.52 h | β– to 171Tm | 5/2 | 0.66 |
| 172Er | 171.939352 | 2.05 d | β– to 172Tm |