Yttrium(III) nitrate is an inorganic compound, a salt with the formula Y(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>. The hexahydrate is the most common form commercially available.
Yttrium(III) nitrate can be prepared by dissolving corresponding metal oxide in 6 mol/L nitric acid:
Yttrium(III) nitrate hexahydrate loses crystallized water at relatively low temperature. Upon further heating, basic salt YONO<sub>3</sub> is formed. At 600 C, the thermal decomposition is complete. Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> is the final product.
Y(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>÷3TBP is formed when tributyl phosphate is used as the extracting solvent.
Yttrium(III) nitrate is mainly used as a source of Y<sup>3+</sup> cations. It is a precursor of some yttrium-containing materials, such as Y<sub>4</sub>Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>9</sub>, YBa<sub>2</sub>Cu<sub>3</sub>O<sub>6.5+x</sub> and yttrium-based metal-organic frameworks. It can also be used as a catalyst in organic synthesis.