Synthesis of a peroxo derivative of layered yttrium hydroxide

A stable yttrium peroxo compound containing 6.7% active (peroxide) oxygen is prepared by reacting layered yttrium hydroxonitrate Y-4(OH)(10)(NO3)(2) center dot xH(2)O with 12% or 87% aq. H2O2 at 0A degrees C. The active oxygen in this compound is in the form of HO (2) (-) - and O (2) (2-) - groups as probed by IR and Raman spectroscopy. The thermolysis of the yttrium peroxo compound yields nanosized (6 nm) yttrium oxide.