A simple method was used to identify the alkylation of lanthanide in the catalytic system LnCl3-ROH-AlR3
based on the reaction MCl3+AlR3
→ MRCl2
+ AlR2Cl
a soluble chloride Cl-ion which coexists with alkylation of transition metal can be detected. It was also found that the catalyst system mentioned was thermal stable in the absence of solvent.