Thermal,spectral and magnetic behaviour of 4-chloro-2-methoxybenzoates of light lanthanides(III)

4-Chloro-2-methoxybenzoates of light lanthanides(III) were obtained as mono-, di-or trihydrates with metal to ligand ratio of 1:3 and general formula Ln(C₈H₆ClO₃)₃·nH₂O, where n=1 for Ln=Ce, Pr, n=2 for Ln=Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd and n=3 for Ln=La. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, thermogravimetric studies, X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. The carboxylate group appears to be a symmetrical bidentate, chelating ligand. All complexes seem polycrystalline compounds. Their thermal stabilities were determined in air. When heated they dehydrate to form anhydrous salts which next are decomposed to the oxides of the respective metals. The solubilities of light lanthanide(III) 4-chloro-2-methoxybenzoates in water at 293 K are of the order of 10⁻⁵ mol dm⁻³. The magnetic moments were determined over the range of 77–300 K. They obey the Curie-Weiss law. The values of μ_eff calculated for all compounds are close to those obtained for Ln³⁺ by Hund and Van Vleck. The results indicate that there is no influence of the ligand field of 4f electrons on lanthanide ions and the metal ligand bonding is mainly electrostatic in nature.