Dimeric scandium(III) and monomeric lanthanide(III) complexes with perfluoropropane-1,3-disulfonates as counter anions for Lewis acid catalysis

A novel scandium(III) complex with disulfonates as counter anions, Sc(μ-OH)(H₂O)₅]₂O₃S(CF₂)₃SO₃]₂ (5), was prepared from scandium oxides (Sc₂O₃) and perfluoropropane-1,3-disulfonic acid (1, HO₃SCF₂CF₂CF₂SO₃H). By X-ray analysis, 5 was found to be a μ-OH-bridged dimeric structure bearing two perfluoropropane-1,3-disulfonates without bonding to scandium(III) centers. A series of lanthanide(III) complexes were also prepared from 1 and lanthanide oxides (Ln₂O₃; Ln = La, Nd, Sm, and Gd). In sharp contrast to the dimeric scandium(III) complex, the corresponding lanthanide(III) complexes had monomeric structures. Interestingly, the dimeric scandium(III) complex, but not the monomeric lanthanide complexes, with perfluoropropane-1,3-disulfonates served as an efficient Lewis acid catalyst for the hydrolysis of esters.