Abstract Yttrium is the first rare earth element to be discovered. The development of its concept can be roughly divided into three periods: the first is the formation period of the yttrium hypothesis. In 1794, Finnish chemist Gadolin analyzed and predicted the existence of new elements through experiments on “black stones”. In 1797, Ekberg, a professor of chemistry at Uppsala University, confirmed Gadolin's conclusion and named it yttrium. The second is the verification period of the yttrium element hypothesis. In 1953, American chemists Spedding and Dahn first prepared high-purity yttrium in the laboratory, and the concept of yttrium was formally formed. The third is the formation period of the concept of modern yttrium element. After the 1920s, the discovery of yttrium isotopes gave people a new understanding of the yttrium element. The development of the concept of yttrium reflects the evolution of scientific thought and the progress of science and technology, and at the same time, it is inseparable from the superb experimental techniques and persevering scientific spirit of scientists.
LI Yu, YUAN Zhen-Dong. Discovery of the First Rare Earth Element Yttrium and Development of Its Concept[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Education, 2024, 45(19): 124-129.
