Cathodic electrolysis of samarium(III), europium(III), and ytterbium(III) chlorides in the presence of acetylacetone

Ytterbium(III) chloride is chelated by acetylacetone upon cathodic electrolysis in ethanol, as distinct from samarium(III) chloride. Samarium trichloride undergoes cathodic reduction in water, yielding the Sm(II)-Sm(III) mixed-valence complex 5Sm(AA) 2 .Sm(AA) 3 .5.5HAA.