New Complexes of Rare Earth Elements with 3-Methyladipic Acid

Rare earth element 3-methyladipates were prepared as crystalline solids with general formula Ln₂(C₇H₁₀O₄)₃⋅nH₂O, where n=6 for La, n=4 for Ce,Sm–Lu, n=5 for Pr, Nd and n=5.5 for Y. Their solubilities in water at 293 K were determined (2⋅10^–3–1.5⋅10^–4 mol dm^–3). The IR spectra of the prepared complexes suggest that the carboxylate groups are bidentate chelating. During heating the hydrated 3-methyladipates lose all crystallization water molecules in one (Ce–Lu) or two steps (Y) (except of La(III) complex which undergoes tomonohydrate) and then decompose directly to oxides (Y, Ce) or with intermediate formation of oxocarbonates Ln₂O₂CO₃ (Pr–Tb) or Ln₂O(CO₃)₂ (Gd–Lu). Only La(III) complex decomposes in four steps forming additionally unstable La₂(C₇H₁₀O₄)(CO₃)₂. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.