Atomic Properties of Y
- Atomic Number of Y
- 39
- Atomic Mass of Y
- 88.9060 u
- Electron Configuration
- [Kr] 4d1 5s2
- Electronegativity
- 1.22
- Block
- d-block
- Group
- 3
- Period
- 5
Yttrium (Y) is element 39 on the periodic table. Atomic mass of Y: 88.9060 u. Y is in period 5, group 3. Melting point of Y: 1799.00 K.Density of Y: 4.47 g/cm³.
Yttrium in everyday life and industry
Yttrium has no known biological role in humans. Yttrium-90 is used in cancer treatment (radioimmunotherapy). Yttrium accumulates in the liver, kidneys, and bones.
Discovered by Johann Gadolin in Finland, 1789
Name origin: From the Swedish village, Ytterby, where one of its minerals was first found.
Silvery-grey metallic element of group 3 on the periodic table. Found in uranium ores. The only natural isotope is Y-89, there are 14 other artificial isotopes. Chemically resembles the lanthanoids. Stable in the air below 400 degrees, celsius. Discovered in 1828 by Friedrich Wohler.
Yttrium has 1 naturally occurring isotope, plus 2 notable radioactive isotopes.
| Isotope | Atomic Mass (u) | Abundance | Half-Life | Decay Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8639Y (Y-86)Yttrium-86 isotope | 85.914886 | 0% | 14.7 hours | β⁺, EC |
| 8939Y (Y-89)Yttrium-89 isotope | 88.9058403 | 100.00% | — | — |
| 9039Y (Y-90)Yttrium-90 isotope | 89.9071439 | 0% | 64.1 hours | β⁻ |
Data source: NIH PubChem (aggregated from IUPAC, NIST)
Isotopes of Yttrium have important real-world applications in science and industry.
Carbon nanotubes (CNT), which are nano-scaled carbon tubes, are being examined in nanobiotechnology research studies because it has been discovered that CNTs labeled with 86Y (with a half-life of 0.6 day) are soluble when they are injected into mice. This discovery was made after mice were given an intravenous or intraperitoneal (directly into a body cavity) injection with the 86Y CNT and then were examined using positron emission tomography (PET) scans to observe whether the 86Y had been flushed from their systems. The PET scan determined that accumulation of 86Y occurred in the liver, kidney, and spleen with very rapid blood clearance. This has broad implications for developing drug treatments [303]. Radiomicrosphere therapy (RT) that uses 90Y (with a half-life of 64 h) microspheres is a proven therapy that helps treat hepatic (liver) cancer (Fig. IUPAC.39.1) [304]. 90Y is also used in radiosynovectomy to reduce joint pain [305].
Combined with europium to make red phosphors for color TV's. Yttrium oxide and iron oxide combine to form a crystal garnet used in radar.
Found in minerals such as monazite, xenotime, and yttria.
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