Spectra of samarium(II), europium(II), and ytterbium(II) in molten lithium chloride–potassium chloride

Abstract

Solutions of Sm^II, Eu^II, and Yb^II in molten LiCl–KCl have been made by direct addition of dichlorides or Mg to, or electrolytic reduction of, trichlorides in solution. Comparison of the spectra with those of aqueous solutions suggests similar co-ordination of the ions in the two solvents, with the crystal-field splitting of the 5d level of the excited state approximately 11 kK. Appropriate modifications for molten-salt work of a Beckman DK 2. spectrophotometer and Hilger quartz spectrographs are detailed.