Theoretical and spectroscopic studies of 5‐aminoorotic acid and its new lanthanide(III) complexes

The complexes of cerium(III) and neodymium(III) were synthesized by reaction of the respective inorganic salts with 5‐aminoorotic acid (H₄L) in amounts equal to the metal:ligand molar ratio of 1:3. The structures of the final complexes were determined by means of spectral (IR, Raman, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR) and elemental analysis. Significant differences in the IR spectra of the complexes were observed as compared to the spectrum of the ligand. A comparative analysis of the Raman spectra of the complexes with that of the free H₄L allowed a straightforward assignment of the vibrations of the ligand groups involved in coordination. The geometry of H₄L was computed and optimized for the first time with the Gaussian03 program using the B3PW91/6‐311++G**, B3PW91/LANL2DZ, B3LYP/6‐311++G** and B3LYP/LANL2DZ methods. The experimental IR and Raman bands of the ligand were assigned to normal modes on the basis of DFT calculations. The vibrational analysis performed for the studied species, H₄L and its complexes, helped to explain the vibrational behavior of the ligand vibrational modes sensitive to interaction with the lanthanides. The vibrational study gave evidence for the coordination mode of the ligand to lanthanide ions and was in agreement with the other theoretical prediction. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.