Syntheses, structures, magnetism, and optical properties of lutetium-based interlanthanide selenides

Ln3LuSe6 (Ln = La, Ce), beta-LnLuSe3 (Ln = Pr, Nd), and LnxLu4-xSe6 (Ln = Sm, Gd; x = 1.82, 1.87) have been synthesized using a Sb2Se3 flux at 1000 degrees C. Ln3LuSe6 (Ln = La, Ce) adopts the U3ScS6-type three-dimensional structure, which is constructed from two-dimensional 2(infinity)[Ln3Se6](3-) slabs with the gaps between these slabs being filled by octahedrally coordinated Lu(3+) ions. The series of beta-LnLuSe3 (Ln = Pr, Nd) are isotypic with UFeS3. Their structures include layers formed from LuSe6 octahedra that are separated by eight-coordinate Ln(3+) (Ln = Pr, Nd) ions in bicapped trigonal prismatic environments. Sm1.82Lu2.18Se6 and Gd1.87Lu2.13Se6 crystallize in the disordered F-Ln2S3 type structure with the eight-coordinate bicapped trigonal prismatic Ln(1) ions residing in the one-dimensional channels formed by three different double chains via edge- and corner-sharing. These double chains are constructed from Ln(2)Se7 monocapped trigonal prisms, Ln(3)Se6 octahedra, and Ln(4)S6 octahedra, respectively. The magnetic susceptibilities of beta-PrLuSe3 and beta-NdLuSe3 follow the Curie-Weiss law. Sm1.82Lu2.18Se6 shows van Vleck paramagnetism. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that Gd1.87Lu2.13Se6 undergoes an antiferromagnetic transition around 4 K. Ce3LuSe6 exhibits soft ferromagnetism below 5 K. The optical band gaps for La3LuSe6, Ce3LuSe6, beta-PrLuSe3, beta-NdLuSe3, Sm1.82Lu2.18Se6, and Gd1.87Lu2.13Se6 are 1.26, 1.10, 1.56, 1.61, 1.51, and 1.56 eV, respectively.     

Lanthanoid-based ionic liquids incorporating the dicyanonitrosomethanide anion

A series of low-melting-point salts with hexakisdicyanonitrosomethanidolanthanoidate anions has been synthesised and characterised: (C(2) mim)(3) [Ln(dcnm)(6)] (1?Ln; 1?Ln=1?La, 1?Ce, 1?Pr, 1?Nd), (C(2) C(1) mim)(3) [Pr(dcnm)(6)] (2?Pr), (C(4) C(1) pyr)(3) [Ce(dcnm)(6)] (3?Ce), (N(1114))(3) [Ln(dcnm)(6)] (4?Ln; 4?Ln=4?La, 4?Ce, 4?Pr, 4?Nd, 4?Sm, 4?Gd), and (N(1112OH) )(3) [Ce(dcnm)(6)] (5?Ce) (C(2) mim=1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, C(2) C(1) mim=1-ethyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium, C(4) C(1) py=N-butyl-4-methylpyridinium, N(1114) =butyltrimethylammonium, N(1112OH) =2-(hydroxyethyl)trimethylammonium=choline). X-ray crystallography was used to determine the structures of complexes 1?La, 2?Pr, and 5?Ce, all of which contain [Ln(dcnm)(6)](3-) ions. Complexes 1?Ln and 2?Pr were all ionic liquids (ILs), with complex 3?Ce melting at 38.1?°C, the lowest melting point of any known complex containing the [Ln(dcnm)(6)](3-) trianion. The ammonium-based cations proved to be less suitable for forming ILs, with complexes 4?Sm and 4?Gd being the only salts with the N(1114) cation to have melting points below 100?°C. The choline-containing complex 5?Ce did not melt up to 160?°C, with the increase in melting point possibly being due to extensive hydrogen bonding, which could be inferred from the crystal structure of the complex.     

Rare-earth tricyanomelaminates [NH(4)]Ln[HC(6)N(9)](2)[H(2)O](7)H(2)O (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy): structural investigation, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, and photoluminescence

The rare-earth tricyanomelaminates, [NH(4)]Ln[HC(6)N(9)](2)[H(2)O](7)xH(2)O (LnTCM; Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy), have been synthesized through ion-exchange reactions. They have been characterized by powder as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, vibrational spectroscopy, and solid-state (1)H, (13)C, and (15)N MAS NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray powder pattern common to all nine rare-earth tricyanomelaminates LnTCM (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy) indicates that they are isostructural. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction pattern of LnTCM is indicative of non-merohedral twinning. The crystals are triclinic and separation of the twin domains as well as refinement of the structure were successfully carried out in the space group P1 for LaTCM (LaTCM; P1, Z=2, a=7.1014(14), b=13.194(3), c=13.803(3) A, alpha=90.11(3), beta=77.85(3), gamma=87.23(3) degrees , V=1262.8(4) A(3)). In the crystal structure, each Ln(3+) is surrounded by two nitrogen atoms from two crystallographically independent tricyanomelaminate moieties and seven oxygen atoms from crystal water molecules. The positions of all of the hydrogen atoms of the ammonium ions and water molecules could not be located from difference Fourier syntheses. The presence of [NH(4)](+) ions as well as two NH groups belonging to two crystallographically independent monoprotonated tricyanomelaminate moieties has only been confirmed by subjecting LaTCM to solid-state (1)H, (13)C, and (15)N{(1)H} cross-polarization (CP) MAS NMR and advanced CP experiments such as cross-polarization combined with polarization inversion (CPPI). The (1)H 2D double-quantum single-quantum homonuclear correlation (DQ SQ) spectrum and the (15)N{(1)H} 2D CP heteronuclear-correlation (HETCOR) spectrum have revealed the hydrogen-bonded (N--HN) dimer of monoprotonated tricyanomelaminate moieties as well as H-bonding through [NH(4)](+) ions and H(2)O molecules. The structures of the other eight rare-earth tricyanomelaminates (LnTCM; Ln=Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy) have been refined from X-ray powder diffraction data by the Rietveld method. Photoluminescence studies of [NH(4)]Eu[HC(6)N(9)](2)[H(2)O](7)xH(2)O have revealed orange-red (lambda(max)=615 nm) emission due to the (5)D(0)-(7)F(2) transition, whereas [NH(4)]Tb[HC(6)N(9)](2)[H(2)O](7)xH(2)O has been found to show green emission with a maximum at 545 nm arising from the (5)D(4)-(7)F(5) transition. DTA/TG studies of [NH(4)]Ln[HC(6)N(9)](2)[H(2)O](7)xH(2)O have indicated several phase transitions associated with dehydration of the compounds above 150 degrees C and decomposition above 200 degrees C.     

Darstellung und Kristallstruktur von LnAl3Br12 (Ln = La,Ce, Pr,Nd, Sm,Gd) und thermischer Abbau zu LnBr3

Preparation and Crystal Structure of LnAl₃Br₁₂ (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd) and Thermal Decomposition to LnBr₃ LnAl₃Br₁₂ (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd) was prepared in crystalline form for the first time. The crystal structures of LaAl₃Br₁₂, PrAl₃Br₁₂, and NdAl₃Br₁₂ were determined on single crystals by X-ray methods. The isotypic compounds crystallize with trigonal symmetry, space group P 3₁12, Z = 3. A structural comparison to lanthanoide chloroaluminates of equal composition is given and thermal decomposition of LnAl₃Br₁₂ (Ln = Nd) to the corresponding lanthanoide tribromide is described.     

Lanthanide-ion-tuned magnetic properties in a series of three-dimensional cyano-bridged Ln(III)W(V) assemblies

The reaction of [W(CN)(8)](3-) with Ln(3+) and pyrazine in acetonitrile yielded a series of isostructural compounds formulated as Ln(H(2)O)(4)(pyrazine)(0.5)W(CN)(8) (Ln = La(1), Ce(2), Pr(3), Nd(4), Sm(5), Eu(6), Gd(7)). The Ln(iii) and W(v) centers in the structure are linked through cyanide groups to form two-dimensional (2D) layers, which are further pillared by pyrazine, generating 3D frameworks. The magnetic behavior for compounds 1-7 were driven by the lanthanide ions involved. The Ln(iii) and W(v) ions in compounds 2 and 5 are ferromagnetically coupled with magnetic ordering occurring at 2.8 K, comparable with magnetic ordering with the critical temperature of 1.9 K for compound 4. In addition, the antiferromagnetic interactions were observed in compounds 3 and 7, while no significant magnetic couplings were found in compounds 1 and 6.     

Crystallographic and vibrational spectroscopic studies of octakis(DMSO)lanthanoid(III) iodides

The octakis(DMSO) (DMSO = dimethylsulfoxide) neodymium(III), samarium(III), gadolinium(III), dysprosium(III), erbium(III), and lutetium(III) iodides crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/n (No. 14) with Z = 4, while the octakis(DMSO) iodides of the larger lanthanum(III), cerium(III), and praseodymium(III) ions crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pbca (No. 61), Z = 8. In all [Ln(OS(Me2)8]I3 compounds the lanthanoid(III) ions coordinate eight DMSO oxygen atoms in a distorted square antiprism. Up to three of the DMSO ligands were found to be disordered and were described by two alternative configurations related by a twist around the metal-oxygen (Ln-O) bond. To resolve the atomic positions and achieve reliable Ln-O bond distances, complete semirigid DMSO molecules with restrained geometry and partial occupancy were refined for the alternative sites. This disorder model was also applied on previously collected data for the monoclinic octakis(DMSO)yttrium(III) iodide. At ambient temperature, the eight Ln-O bond distances are distributed over a range of about 0.1 A. The average value increases from Ln-O 2.30, 2.34, 2.34, 2.36, 2.38, 2.40 to 2.43 A (Ln = Lu, Er, Y, Dy, Gd, Sm, and Nd) for the monoclinic [Ln(OSMe2)8]I3 structures, and from 2.44, 2.47 to 2.49 A (Ln = Pr, Ce, and La) for the orthorhombic structures, respectively. The average of the La-O and Nd-O bond distances remained unchanged at 100 K, 2.49 and 2.43 A, respectively. Despite longer bond distances and larger Ln-O-S angles, the cell volumes are smaller for the orthorhombic structures (Ln = Pr, Ce, and La) than for the monoclinic structure with Ln = Nd, showing a more efficient packing arrangement. Raman and IR absorption spectra for the [Ln(OS(CH3)2)8]I3 (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, Lu, and Y) compounds, also deuterated for La and Y, have been recorded and analyzed by means of normal coordinate methods. The force constants for the Ln-O and S-O stretching modes in the complexes increase with decreasing Ln-O bond distance and show increasing polarization of the bonds for the smaller and heavier lanthanoid(III) ions.     

Regularities of change in the structural parameters of EuLnCuS<Subscript>3</Subscript> (Ln = La–Nd,Sm, Gd,Ho)

Regularities of change in the structural parameters of EuLnCuS₃ (Ln = La–Nd, Sm, Gd, Ho) at an annealing temperature of 970 and 1170 K have been established. A decrease in the Ln³⁺ ionic radius results in the consecutive change of structural types (STs) for the compounds: α-EuLnCuS₃ (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd; BaLaCuS₃ ST) → β-EuLnCuS₃ (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd; Ba2MnS₃ ST) → γ-EuLnCuS₃ (Ln = Sm, Gd, Ho; Eu₂CuS₃ST). The change of structural types for EuLnCuS₃ leads to a jump-like change in their unit cell parameters and the transformation of coordination polyhedra shaped as a one-capped trigonal prism LnS₇ (α and β phases) into an octahedron LnS₆ (γ phases). The appearance of morphotropic changes correlates with the tetrad effect.     

Rare-earth metal(III) oxide selenides M4O4Se[Se2] (M=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) with discrete diselenide units: crystal structures, magnetic frustration, and other properties

The rare-earth metal(III) oxide selenides of the formula La4O4Se[Se2], Ce4O4Se[Se2], Pr4O4Se[Se2], Nd4O4Se[Se2], and Sm4O4Se[Se2] were synthesized from a mixture of the elements with selenium dioxide as the oxygen source at 750 degrees C. Single crystal X-ray diffraction was used to determine their crystal structures. The isostructural compounds M4O4Se[Se2] (M=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Amm2 with cell dimensions a=857.94(7), b=409.44(4), c=1316.49(8) pm for M=La; a=851.37(6), b=404.82(3), c=1296.83(9) pm for M=Ce; a=849.92(6), b=402.78(3), c=1292.57(9) pm for M=Pr; a=845.68(4), b=398.83(2), c=1282.45(7) pm for M=Nd; and a=840.08(5), b=394.04(3), c=1263.83(6) pm for M=Sm (Z=2). In their crystal structures, Se2- anions as well as [Se-Se]2- dumbbells interconnect {[M4O4]4+} infinity 2 layers. These layers are composed of three crystallographically different, distorted [OM4]10+ tetrahedra, which are linked via four common edges. The compounds exhibit strong Raman active modes at around 215 cm(-1), which can be assigned to the Se-Se stretching vibration. Optical band gaps for La4O4Se[Se2], Ce4O4Se[Se2], Pr4O4Se[Se2], Nd4O4Se[Se2], and Sm4O4Se[Se2] were derived from diffuse reflectance spectra. The energy values at which absorption takes place are typical for semiconducting materials. For the compounds M4O4Se[Se2] (M=La, Pr, Nd, Sm) the fundamental band gaps, caused by transitions from the valence band to the conduction band (VB-CB), lie around 1.9 eV, while for M=Ce an absorption edge occurs at around 1.7 eV, which can be assigned to f-d transitions of Ce3+. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of Ce4O4Se[Se2] and Nd4O4Se[Se2] show Curie-Weiss behavior above 150 K with derived experimental magnetic moments of 2.5 micro B/Ce and 3.7 micro B/Nd and Weiss constants of theta p=-64.9 K and theta p=-27.8 K for the cerium and neodymium compounds, respectively. Down to 1.8 K no long-range magnetic ordering could be detected. Thus, the large negative values for theta p indicate the presence of strong magnetic frustration within the compounds, which is due to the geometric arrangement of the magnetic sublattice in form of [OM4]10+ tetrahedra.     

Magnetic properties of cyano-bridged Ln3+-M3+ complexes. Part I: trinuclear complexes (Ln3+ = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm; M3+ = FeLS, Co) with bpy as blocking ligand

The reaction of Ln(NO3)3(aq) with K3[Fe(CN)6] or K3[Co(CN)6] and 2,2'-bipyridine in water/ethanol led to eight trinuclear complexes: trans-[M(CN)4(mu-CN)2{Ln(H2O)4(bpy)2}2][M(CN)6].8H2O (M = Fe3+ or Co3+, Ln = La3+, Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, and Sm3+). The structures for the eight complexes [La2Fe] (1), [Ce2Fe] (2), [Pr2Fe] (3), [Nd2Fe] (4), [Ce2Co] (5), [Pr2Co] (6), [Nd2Co] (7), and [Sm2Co] (8) have been solved; they crystallize in the triclinic space group P and are isomorphous. They exhibit a supramolecular 3D architecture through hydrogen bonding and pi-pi stacking interactions. A stereochemical study of the nine-vertex polyhedra of the lanthanide ions, based on continuous shape measures, is presented. No significant magnetic interaction was found between the lanthanide(III) and the iron(III) ions.     

Lanthanide diruthenium(II,III) compounds showing layered and PtS-type open framework structures

Two types of lanthanide diruthenium phosphonate compounds, based on the mixed-valent metal-metal bonded paddlewheel core of Ru(2)(hedp)(2)(3-) [hedp = 1-hydroxyethylidenediphosphonate, CH(3)C(OH)(PO(3))(2)], have been prepared with the formulas Ln(H(2)O)4[Ru(2)(hedp)(2)(H(2)O)2].5.5H(2)O (1.Ln, Ln = La, Ce) and Ln(H(2)O)4[Ru(2)(hedp)(2)(H(2)O)(2)].8H(2)O (2.Ln, Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er). In both types, each Ru(2)(hedp)2(H2O)23- unit is linked by four Ln(3+)ions through four phosphonate oxygen (OP) atoms and vice versa. The geometries of the {LnO(P4)} group, however, are different in the two cases. In 1.Ln, the geometry of {LnO(P4)} is closer to a distorted plane, and thus a square-grid layer structure is found. In 2.Ln, the geometry of {LnO(P4)} is better described as a distorted tetrahedron; hence, a unique PtS-type open-framework structure is observed. The channels generated in structures 2.Ln are filled with water aggregates with extensive hydrogen-bond interactions. The magnetic and electrochemical properties are also investigated.     

Homoleptic 12-coordinate lanthanoids with eta(2)-nitroso ligands

The complexes [Et(4)N](3)[Ln(eta(2)-dcnm)(6)] (Ln = La, Ce, Nd, Gd, dcnm = dicyanonitrosomethanide) have discrete N, O 12-coordination owing to symmetrical chelation of the nitroso donor groups.     

Complexes of the Lighter Lanthanoid Nitrates with 15-crown-5 and 18-crown-6 ethers: Synthesis and characterization

Complexes of lanthanoid trinitrates Ln(NO₃)₃ with 15-crown-5 ether 1 (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd) and with 18-crown-6 ether 2 (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd) having a 1:1 stoichiometry as well as 4:3 complexes with 2 (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd) have been synthesized and characterized. All the isolated complexes are solvent free. At 170–220° the 1:1 complexes of 2 are quantitatively transformed into 4:3 complexes. X-Ray powder diagrams of the neodymium complexes with 2 indicate that both the 1:1 and 4:3 complexes are genuine compounds. All the 1:1 complexes show a characteristic IR. absorption band at 875–880 cm^?1 absent from both the spectra of the free ligands and of the 4:3 complexes. The spectroscopic properties (IR. and electronic spectra, fluorescence lifetimes) of the complexes and the low magnetic moments of the Ln(III) ions in the complexes with Ln = Ce-Eu are indicative of a strong interaction between the lanthanoid ions and the crown ethers 1 and 2 .     

A convenient route to lanthanide triiodide THF solvates. Crystal structures of LnI(3)(THF)(4) [Ln = Pr] and LnI(3)(THF)(3.5) [Ln = Nd, Gd, Y

The reaction between 1.5 equiv of elemental iodine and rare earth metals in powder form in THF at room temperature gives the rare earth triiodides LnI(3)(THF)(n)() in good yields. Purification by Soxhlet extraction of the crude solids with THF reliably gives the THF adducts LnI(3)(THF)(4) [Ln = La, Pr] and LnI(3)(THF)(3.5) [Ln = Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er, Tm, Y] as microcrystalline solids. X-ray crystallography reveals that the early, larger lanthanide iodide PrI(3)(THF)(4) crystallizes as discrete molecules having a pentagonal bipyramidal structure, whereas the later, smaller lanthanide iodides LnI(3)(THF)(3.5) [Ln = Nd, Gd, Y] crystallize as solvent-separated ion pairs [LnI(2)(THF)(5)][LnI(4)(THF)(2)] in which the cations adopt a pentagonal bipyramidal geometry and the anions adopt an octahedral geometry in the solid state.     

Coordination polymers based on inorganic lanthanide(II) sulfate skeletons and an organic isonicotinate N-oxide connector: segregation into three structural types by the lanthanide contraction effect

Fourteen three-dimensional coordination polymers of general formula [Ln(lNO)(H2O)(SO4)]n, where Ln = La, 1.La; Ce, 2.Ce; Pr, 3.Pr; Nd, 4.Nd; Sm, 5.Sm; Eu, 6.Eu; Gd, 7.Gd; Tb, 8.Tb; Dy, 9.Dy; Ho, 10.Ho; Er. 11.Er; Tm, 12.Tm; Yb, 13.Yb; and Lu, 14.Lu; INO = isonicotinate-N-oxide, have been synthesized by hydrothermal reactions of Ln3+, MnCO3, MnSO4 x H2O, and isonicotinic acid N-oxide (HINO) at 155 degrees C and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, thermal analysis, luminescence spectroscopy, and the magnetic measurement. The structures are formed by connection of layer, chain, or dimer of Ln-SO4 by the organic connector, INO. They belong to three structural types that are governed exclusively by the size of the ions: type I for the large ions, La, Ce, and Pr; type II for the medium ions, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, and Tb; and type III for the small ions, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu. Type I consists of two-dimensional undulate Ln-sulfate layers pillared by INO to form a three-dimensional network. Type II has a 2-fold interpenetration of "3D herringbone" networks, in which the catenation is sustained by extensive pi-pi interactions and O-H...O and C-H...O hydrogen bonds. Type III comprises one-dimensional chains that are connected by INO bridges, resulting in an alpha-Po network. The progressive structural change is due to the metal coordination number decreasing from nine for the large ions via eight to seven for the small ions, demonstrating clearly the effect of lanthanide contraction. The sulfate ion acts as a micro4- or micro3-bridge, connecting two, three, or four metals, and is both mono- and bidentate. The INO ligand acts as a micro3- or micro2-bridge with carboxylate group in syn-syn bridging or bidentate chelating mode. The materials show considerably high thermal stability. The magnetic properties of 4.Nd, 6.Eu, 7.Gd, and 13.Yb and the luminescence properties of 6.Eu and 8.Tb are also investigated.     

Preparation, crystal structures, and magnetic features for a series of dinuclear [Ni(II)Ln(III)] Schiff-base complexes: evidence for slow relaxation of the magnetization for the Dy(III) derivative

A series of dinuclear [Ni(II)Ln(III)] Schiff-base complexes (using a Schiff-base dicompartmental ligand derived from o-vanillin [H(2)valpn = 1,3-propanediylbis(2-iminomethylene-6-methoxy-phenol)]) with Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and a hydroxo-bridged tetranuclear [Ni(II)Yb(III)] are reported. The crystal structures have been solved for 10 dinuclear complexes revealing four arrangements for the dinuclear units, which are modulated by the coordinated solvent molecules and the nitrato-anion interactions. The magnetic behaviors have been investigated, and the nature of the Ni(II)-Ln(III) exchange interaction has been emphasized by comparison with the behavior of the related [Zn(II)Ln(III)] derivatives. This allowed for establishing that the interaction within these compounds is antiferromagnetic with the 4f ions of the beginning of the Ln series and turns ferromagnetic from Gd(III) toward the end of the series. AC susceptibility investigations clearly show the occurrence of slow relaxation processes of the magnetization close to 2 K for the dinuclear [Ni(II)Dy(III)] complex.     

Complexes of lanthanide nitrates with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane dioxide

The reactions of lanthanide nitrates, Ln(NO(3))(3), with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane dioxide, Ph(2)P(O)CH(2)P(O)Ph(2) (L), lead to complexes with three distinct classes of structure. At low ratios of Ln:L (<1:1.5) in acetonitrile the ionic complexes [Ln(NO(3))(2)L(2)](+)[Ln(NO(3))(4)L](-) (Ln = Pr, Eu) have been isolated. When carried out with a 1:2 or higher ratio in ethanol the reaction yields Ln(NO(3))(3)L(2) (Ln = La,Ce) and [Ln(NO(3))(2)L(2)H(2)O](+)[NO(3)](-) (Ln = Nd, Gd, Ho). Geometrical isomerism is found for the cations [Ln(NO(3))(2)L(2)H(2)O](+) and is attributed to the extent of hydrogen bonding to the coordinated water. Ligand redistribution occurs on heating in the solid state giving yellow solids in all cases. Crystallization of these materials from ethanol or acetonitrile gives [Ln(NO(3))L(3)](2+).2[NO(3)](-), which have been structurally characterized for Ln = Gd and Yb. Electrospray mass spectra indicate that extensive ligand exchange reactions occur in solution.     

Lanthanoid‐Based Ionic Liquids Incorporating the Dicyanonitrosomethanide Anion

A series of low‐melting‐point salts with hexakisdicyanonitrosomethanidolanthanoidate anions has been synthesised and characterised: (C₂mim)₃[Ln(dcnm)₆] ( 1 Ln ; 1 Ln = 1 La , 1 Ce , 1 Pr , 1 Nd ), (C₂C₁mim)₃[Pr(dcnm)₆] ( 2 Pr ), (C₄C₁pyr)₃[Ce(dcnm)₆] ( 3 Ce ), (N₁₁₁₄)₃[Ln(dcnm)₆] ( 4 Ln ; 4 Ln = 4 La , 4 Ce , 4 Pr , 4 Nd , 4 Sm , 4 Gd ), and (N_1112OH)₃[Ce(dcnm)₆] ( 5 Ce ) (C₂mim=1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium, C₂C₁mim=1‐ethyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium, C₄C₁py=N‐butyl‐4‐methylpyridinium, N₁₁₁₄=butyltrimethylammonium, N_1112OH=2‐(hydroxyethyl)trimethylammonium=choline). X‐ray crystallography was used to determine the structures of complexes 1 La , 2 Pr , and 5 Ce , all of which contain [Ln(dcnm)₆]^3? ions. Complexes 1 Ln and 2 Pr were all ionic liquids (ILs), with complex 3 Ce melting at 38.1 °C, the lowest melting point of any known complex containing the [Ln(dcnm)₆]^3? trianion. The ammonium‐based cations proved to be less suitable for forming ILs, with complexes 4 Sm and 4 Gd being the only salts with the N₁₁₁₄ cation to have melting points below 100 °C. The choline‐containing complex 5 Ce did not melt up to 160 °C, with the increase in melting point possibly being due to extensive hydrogen bonding, which could be inferred from the crystal structure of the complex.     

Systematic Investigation of Reaction‐Time Dependence of Three Series of Copper–Lanthanide/Lanthanide Coordination Polymers: Syntheses,Structures, Photoluminescence,and Magnetism

Three series of copper–lanthanide/lanthanide coordination polymers (CPs) Ln^IIICu^IICu^I(bct)₃(H₂O)₂ [Ln=La ( 1 ), Ce ( 2 ), Pr ( 3 ), Nd ( 4 ), Sm ( 5 ), Eu ( 6 ), Gd ( 7 ), Tb ( 8 ), Dy ( 9 ), Er ( 10 ), Yb ( 11 ), and Lu ( 12 ), H₂bct=2,5‐bis(carboxymethylmercapto)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole acid], Ln^IIICu^I(bct)₂ [Ln=Ce ( 2 a ), Pr ( 3 a ), Nd ( 4 a ), Sm ( 5 a ), Eu ( 6 a ), Gd ( 7 a ), Tb ( 8 a ), Dy ( 9 a ), Er ( 10 a ), Yb ( 11 a ), and Lu ( 12 a )], and Ln^III₂(bct)₃(H₂O)₅ [Ln=La ( 1 b ), Ce ( 2 b ), Pr ( 3 b ), Nd ( 4 b ), Sm ( 5 b ), Eu ( 6 b ), Gd ( 7 b ), Tb ( 8 b ), and Dy ( 9 b )] have been successfully constructed under hydrothermal conditions by modulating the reaction time. Structural characterization has revealed that CPs 1 – 12 possess a unique one‐dimensional (1D) strip‐shaped structure containing two types of double‐helical chains and a double‐helical channel. CPs 2 a – 12 a show a three‐dimensional (3D) framework formed by Cu^I linking two types of homochiral layers with double‐helical channels. CPs 1 b – 9 b exhibit a 3D framework with single‐helical channels. CPs 6 b and 8 b display visible red and green luminescence of the Eu^III and Tb^III ions, respectively, sensitized by the bct ligand, and microsecond‐level lifetimes. CP 8 b shows a rare magnetic transition between short‐range ferromagnetic ordering at 110 K and long‐range ferromagnetic ordering below 10 K. CPs 9 a and 9 b display field‐induced single‐chain magnet (SCM) and/or single‐molecule magnet (SMM) behaviors, with U_eff values of 51.7 and 36.5 K, respectively.     

New layered rubidium rare-earth selenides: syntheses,structures, physical properties,and electronic structures for RbLnSe(2)

The compounds RbLnSe(2) (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Ho, Er, Lu) have been synthesized by means of the reactive flux method at 1173 K. These isostructural compounds, which have the alpha-NaFeO(2) structure type, crystallize with three formula units in space group D(3d)(5)-R(-)3m of the trigonal system in cells at T = 153 K of dimensions (a, c in A) La, 4.4313(4), 23.710(3); Ce, 4.3873(3), 23.656(3); Pr, 4.3524(11), 23.655(7); Nd, 4.3231(5), 23.670(4); Sm, 4.2799(4), 23.647(3); Gd, 4.2473(7), 23.689(5); Tb, 4.2197(4), 23.631(3); Ho, 4.1869(6), 23.652(5); Er, 4.1541(8), 23.576(7); Lu, 4.1294(6), 23.614(5). The structure consists of close-packed Se layers in a pseudocubic structure distorted along [111]. The Rb and Ln atoms occupy distorted octahedral sites in alternating layers. The Rb-centered octahedra share edges with the Ln-centered octahedra between layers. Within a given layer, both the Rb-centered and Ln-centered octahedra share edges with themselves. RbTbSe(2) and RbErSe(2) exhibit Curie-Weiss paramagnetism between 5 and 300 K, and RbCeSe(2) exhibits Curie-Weiss paramagnetism between 100 and 300 K. The optical transitions for RbCeSe(2), RbTbSe(2), and RbErSe(2) are in the 2.0-2.2 eV region of the spectrum, both from diffuse reflectance spectra and from first-principles calculations. These calculations also provide insight into the electronic structures and chemical bonding in RbLnSe(2). A quadratic fit for the lanthanide contraction of the Ln-Se distance is superior to the linear one only if the closed-shell atoms La and Lu are included.     

Effects of lanthanide metal size and amino ligand denticity on the solvothermal systems Ln/Sn/Se/en and Ln/Sn/Se/dien (Ln = lanthanide)

Two systems, Ln/Sn/Se/en and Ln/Sn/Se/dien, were investigated under solvothermal conditions, and novel lanthanide selenidostannates [{Ce(en)(4)}(2)(μ-Se(2))]Sn(2)Se(6) (1a), [{Ln(en)(3)}(2)(μ-OH)(2)]Sn(2)Se(6) (Ln = Pr(1b), Nd(1c), Gd(1d); en = ethylenediamine), [{Ln(dien)(2)}(4)(μ(4)-Sn(2)Se(9))(μ-Sn(2)Se(6))](∞) (Ln = Ce(2a), Nd(2b)), and [Hdien][Gd(dien)(2)(μ-SnSe(4))] (2c) (dien = diethylenetriamine) were prepared and characterized. Two structural types of lanthanide selenidostannates were obtained across the lanthanide series in both systems. In the Ln/Sn/Se/en system, two types of binuclear lanthanide complex cations [Ce(2)(en)(8)(μ-Se(2))](4+) and [{Ln(en)(3)}(2)(μ-OH)(2)](4+) (Ln = Pr, Nd, Gd) were formed depending on the Ln(3+) ions. The complex cations are compensated by the [Sn(2)Se(6)](4-) anions. In the Ln/Sn/Se/dien system, coordination polymer [{Ln(dien)(2)}(4)(μ(4)-Sn(2)Se(9))(μ-Sn(2)Se(6))](∞) and ionic complex [Hdien][Gd(dien)(2)(μ-SnSe(4))] are obtained along the lanthanide series, among which the μ(4)-Sn(2)Se(9), μ-Sn(2)Se(6) and μ-SnSe(4) ligands to the Ln(3+) ions were observed. The formation of title complexes shows the effects of lanthanide metal size and amino ligand denticity on the lanthanide selenidostannates. Complexes 1a-2c exhibit semiconducting properties with band gaps between 2.08 and 2.48 eV.