Crystal Chemistry of the Saccharinato Complexes of Trivalent Lanthanides and Yttrium

Saccharinate complexes of the fourteen trivalent lanthanide cations and Y^III were prepared by reaction between the respective lanthanide carbonates and saccharin in aqueous solution. Their crystal structures were determined by single crystal X‐ray diffractometry. They represent three different structural types. The first family, of composition [Ln(sac)(H₂O)₈](sac)₂�H₂O (sac = anion of saccharin; Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd.Sm, Eu), belongs to the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with Z = 4 and the Ln^III cation is in a tricapped trigonal prismatic environment with nine‐fold oxygen coordination. The second group of composition [Ln(sac)₂(H₂O)₆]‐(sac)(Hsac)�4H₂O with Ln = Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Lu, and Y, pertains to the triclinic P1¯‐ space group, with Z = 2 and constitutes a new example of complexes containing simultaneously saccharin and its anion in the lattice. The Tm^III and Tb^III compounds, which are also triclinic (space group P1¯‐ and Z = 2) present two closely related structures conformed by three and two [Ln(sac)(H₂O)₇]²⁺ crystallographically independent complexes, respectively, with the [Tm(sac)(H₂O)₇]₃(sac)₆�9H₂O and [Tb(sac)(H₂O)₇]2(sac)₄�6H₂O composition. For all the heavier lanthanides (Gd‐Lu) and yttrium the cation presents eight‐fold oxygen coordination, with the ligands at the corners of a slightly distorted square Archimedean antiprism.     

Hydrothermal Syntheses and Structural Studies of Lanthanide Coordination Polymers Involving In‐Situ Decarboxylation and their Luminescence Properties

Lanthanide coordination polymers with the formula [Ln(pydc)₂]·H₂O (Ln = La, 1 ; Nd, 2 ; pydc = 3,4‐pyridinedicarboxylate) and [Ln(pydc)(ina)(H₂O)₂] (Ln = Sm, 3 ; Eu, 4 ; Tb, 5 ; Dy, 6 ; pydc = 3,4‐pyridinedicarboxylate, ina = isonicotinate) were synthesized by treating Ln^III nitrates with 3,4‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid under hydrothermal conditions. Single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction studies indicate that these lanthanide coordination polymers adopt two different structures. The lighter lanthanide compounds 1 and 2 consist of extended two‐dimensional layer structures with the thickness of ca. 1.7 nm. While the heavier lanthanide compounds 3 ‐ 6 have pydc‐bridged double chain structures with one chelating carboxylate group of ina ligand and two water molecules on each metal center. Interestingly, decarboxylation occurred and pydc was partially transformed into ina in the hydrothermal reactions of 3 ‐ 6 . The fluorescence activities of compounds 4 and 5 are reported.     

Amending the Anisotropy Barrier and Luminescence Behavior of Heterometallic Trinuclear Linear [MIILnIIIMII] (LnIII=Gd,Tb, Dy; MII=Mg/Zn) Complexes by Change from Divalent Paramagnetic to Diamagnetic Metal Ions

The sequential reaction of a multisite coordinating compartmental ligand [2‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐(hydroxymethyl)‐5‐methylbenzylideneamino)‐2‐methylpropane‐1,3‐diol] (LH₄) with appropriate lanthanide salts followed by the addition of [Mg(NO₃)₂] ? 6 H₂O or [Zn(NO₃)₂] ? 6 H₂O in a 4:1:2 stoichiometric ratio in the presence of triethylamine affords a series of isostructural heterometallic trinuclear complexes containing [Mg₂Ln]³⁺ (Ln=Dy, Gd, and Tb) and [Zn₂Ln]³⁺ (Ln=Dy, Gd, and Tb) cores. The formation of these complexes is demonstrated by X‐ray crystallography as well as ESI‐MS spectra. All complexes are isostructural possessing a linear trimetallic core with a central lanthanide ion. The comprehensive studies discussed involve the synthesis, structure, magnetism, and photophysical properties on this family of trinuclear [Mg₂Ln]³⁺ and [Zn₂Ln]³⁺ heterometallic complexes. [Mg₂Dy]³⁺ and [Zn₂Dy]³⁺ show slow relaxation of the magnetization below 12 K under zero applied direct current (dc) field, but without reaching a neat maximum, which is due to the overlapping with a faster quantum tunneling relaxation mediated through dipole–dipole and hyperfine interactions. Under a small applied dc field of 1000 Oe, the quantum tunneling is almost suppressed and temperature and frequency dependent peaks are observed, thus confirming the single‐molecule magnet behavior of complexes [Mg₂Dy]³⁺ and [Zn₂Dy]³⁺.     

Coordination and recognition of lanthanide cations by a methyl-substituted cucurbit[6]uril derived from 3α-methyl-glycoluril

The interactions between a series of lanthanide cations (Ln³⁺) and a methyl-substituted cucurbit[6]uril derived from 3α-methyl-glycoluril (SHMeQ[6]) in the presence of [CdCl₄]^2 ? as a structure-directing agent in aqueous HCl solutions (6.0 mol·L ^? 1) have been investigated. The formation of ionic radius-dependent complexes, the crystal structures of six of which have been obtained, shows the recognition ability of SHMeQ[6] towards lanthanide cations. For example, SHMeQ[6] forms molecular capsule-like complexes with the two lightest lanthanide cations, La³⁺ and Ce³⁺; molecular pairs with Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺ and Gd³⁺, and no solid crystals are formed with the heavier lanthanides.     

Ligand Recognition Processes in the Formation of Homochiral C3‐Symmetric LnL3 Complexes of a Chiral Alkoxide

The reaction of a chiral racemic bidentate ligand HL¹ (tBu₂P(O)CH₂CH(tBu)OH) with mid to late trivalent lanthanide cations affords predominantly homochiral lanthanide complexes (RRR)‐[Ln(L¹)₃] and (SSS)‐[Ln(L¹)₃]. A series of reactions are reported that demonstrate that the syntheses are under thermodynamic control, and driven by a ligand ‘self‐recognition’ process, in which the large asymmetric bidentate L¹ ligands pack most favourably in a C₃ geometry around the lanthanide cation. The synthesis of bis(L¹) adducts [Ln(L¹)₂X] (X=N(SiMe₃)₂, OC₆H₃tBu‐2,6) is also reported. Analysis of the diastereomer mixtures shows that homochiral (L¹)₂ complexes are favoured but to a lesser extent. The complexes Ln(L¹)₃ and [Ln(L¹)₂(OC₆H₃tBu‐2,6)] have been studied as initiators for the polymerization of ε‐caprolactone and its copolymer with lactide, glycolide and its copolymer with lactide, and ε‐caprolactam.     

Lanthanide(II) Complexes Supported by N,O‐Donor Tripodal Ligands: Synthesis,Structure, and Ligand‐Dependent Redox Behavior

The preparation and characterization of a series of complexes of the Yb and Eu cations in the oxidation state II and III with the tetradentate N,O‐donor tripodal ligands (tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA), BPA^? (HBPA=bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)(2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine), BPPA^? (HBPPA=bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)(3.5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine), and MPA^2? (H₂MPA=(2‐pyridylmethyl)bis(3.5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine) is reported. The X‐ray crystal structures of the heteroleptic Ln²⁺ complexes [Ln(TPA)I₂] (Ln=Eu, Yb) and [Yb(BPA)I(CH₃CN)]₂, of the Ln²⁺ homoleptic [Ln(TPA)₂]I₂ (Ln=Sm, Eu, Yb) and [Eu(BPA)₂] complexes, and of the Ln³⁺ [Eu(BPPA)₂]OTf and [Yb(MPA)₂K(dme)₂] (dme=dimethoxyethane) complexes have been determined. Cyclic voltammetry studies carried out on the bis‐ligand complexes of Eu³⁺ and Yb³⁺ show that the metal center reduction occurs at significantly lower potentials for the BPA^? ligand as compared with the TPA ligand. This suggests that the more electron‐rich character of the BPA^? ligand results in a higher reducing character of the lanthanide complexes of BPA^? compared with those of TPA. The important differences in the stability and reactivity of the investigated complexes are probably due to the observed difference in redox potential. Preliminary reactivity studies show that whereas the bis‐TPA complexes of Eu²⁺ and Yb²⁺ do not show any reactivity with heteroallenes, the [Eu(BPA)₂] complex reduces CS₂ to afford the first example of a lanthanide trithiocarbonate complex.     

Self‐Assembly of Polyoxometalate‐Supported Ln‐H nydroxo/Oxo Clusters with 1D Extended Structure: [LnIII(H2O)7Cr(OH)6Mo6O18]n·4nH2O (Ln = Ce,Sm, Eu)

Three novel polyoxometalate compounds consisting of Anderson‐type anions and trivalent lanthanide cations, [Ln(H₂O)₇Cr(OH)₆Mo₆O₁₈]_n·4nH₂O (Ln = Ce 1 ; Sm 2 ; Eu 3 ), have been synthesized in aqueous solution and characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, elemental analyses, IR spectra, and TG analyses. Single crystal X‐ray diffractions reveal that the structures of the 1:1 composite compound formed by the heteropolyanion [Cr(OH)₆Mo₆O₁₈]^3? as the building unit and the [Ln(H₂O)₇]³⁺ complex fragment as the linker, which exhibit a type of zig‐zag chain with alternating cations and anions through the Mo‐Ot′‐Ln‐Ot′‐Mo linkage in the crystal. The magnetic properties of 1 ? 3 have been studied by measuring their magnetic susceptibility over the temperature range of 2‐300 K. The UV‐vis spectra of 1 give the Mo‐O and Cr^III‐O charge transfer transitions at 203 and 543 nm, respectively. In addition, the fluorescent characteristic transition of the Eu³⁺ ions in compound 3 is reported.     

Three New Ln-Decavanadates Materials:Synthesis,Structure, and Photoluminescent Sensing for Detection of Zn2+ and Co2+

Three new compounds, [Ln(H₂O)₈]₂[V₁₀O₂₈] · 8H₂O [Ln = Ho ( 1 ), Tb ( 2 )] and [Eu(H₂O)₈]₂[V₁₀O₂₈] · 9H₂O ( 3 ), were successfully synthesized by evaporating the mixture of K₆V₁₀O₂₈ · 10H₂O and LnCl₃ · 6H₂O. Notably, three vanadates are composed of [Ln(H₂O)₈]³⁺ cation, decavanadates ([V₁₀O₂₈]^6–) anion. Meanwhile, free water molecules generate different type water clusters to connect [V₁₀O₂₈]^6– anions and coordination cations to form 3D supramolecular structure. The fluorescence measurements reveal that characteristic photoluminescence of Tb^III and Eu^III is quenched in presence of [V₁₀O₂₈]^6–, then the impacts of variational decavanadates ions concentration on the fluorescence intensities of LnCl₃ (Ln = Tb, Eu) systems and different acetate solution [M(CH₃COO)₂; M = Ni, Cr, Cu, Co, Zn] on fluorescence intensities of Ln-decavanadates (Ln = Eu, Tb) systems are investigated.     

Mono and trinuclear lanthanide complexes of 13-membered tetraaza macrocycle: Synthesis and characterization

The reaction of 1,8-diamino-3,6-diazaoctane and diethyl malonate in dry methanol yielded a 13-membered macrocycle. Complexes of the type [Ln(tatd)Cl₂ (H₂O)₃]Cl [Ln^III=La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy; tatd=1, 5, 8, 11-tetra-azacyclotridecane-2,4-dione] have been synthesized by template condensation. The complex [La(tatd)Cl₂ (H₂O)₃]Cl in methanol was reacted with lanthanide chlorides to yield the trinuclear complexes of type [2{La(tatd)Cl₂(H₂O)₃}LnCl₃]Cl₂ [Ln^III=La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy]. The chemical compositions of mono and trinuclear complexes have been established on the basis of analytical, molar conductance, electrospray (ES) and fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass data. In mononuclear complexes the Ln³⁺ ion is encapsulated by four ring nitrogens and in trimetallic complexes the exo-carbonyl oxygens of two mononuclear units coordinate to the Ln³⁺ ions resulting in a polyhedron around the lanthanide ions. Thus the macrocycle is bonded in a tetradentate fashion in the former complexes and hexadentate in the latter. The coordination number nine around the encapsulated Ln³⁺ and seven around the exo-oxygen bonded Ln³⁺ ions are established. The symmetry of the ligand field around the metal ions is indicated from the emission spectra.     

Evaluation of AM1-calculated radical cation ion-neutral complexes

AM1 semiempirical molecular orbital calculations are reported for 20 ion-neutral complexes, including hydrogen-bonded complexes, presumably involved in the gas-phase unimolecular decomposition of simple organic radical cations. The systems investigated are [C₂H₄O₂]^˙+, [C₂H₅NO]^˙+, [C₂H₆O]^˙+, [C₂H₆O₂]^˙+, [C₃H₆O]^˙+, [C₃H₆O₂]^˙+, [C₃H₈O]^˙+, and [C₃H₈O₂]^˙+. The AM1 results are compared with ab initio molecular orbital calculations at different levels of theory up to MP3/6-31G(d, p)//SCF/6-31G(d) + ZPVE and the available experimental data. AM1 fails to predict some local minima and the equilibrium geometries calculated for several complexes are found to be qualitatively different from those predicted by the ab initio calculations. However, reasonable agreement is generally found for the stabilization energies of the complexes toward dissociation into their loosely bound components. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Complexation and Self-Assembling of Sulfonatomethylated Calix[4]resorcinarene with Both Organic and Lanthanide Ions in Aqueous Media

The stoichiometry and binding constant of the paramagnetic lanthanide ion(Gd³⁺) with sulfonatomethylated calix[4]resorcinarene (H₈Xna₄) were evaluated from the NMR relaxation data. Both ¹H NMR spectroscopy and NMR relaxation data indicate that interaction of tetramethylammonium (TEMA) and N-methylpyridinium (MePy) cations with H₈Xna₄ in the presence of Ln³⁺ (Lu³⁺ or Gd³⁺) results in theformation of ternary complexes [Ln(G)H₈X] with lanthanide ions,coordinated via sulfonate groups and organic cation included intothe cavity of H₈Xna₄. The inclusion of long-chainedN-decyl-(DePy) and N-cetylpyridinium (CPy) ions into H₈Xna₄ cavity leads to self-assembling which can be revealed by NMR relaxation method with Gd³⁺ probe ions. The excess of alkylpyridinium or TEMA cations leads to disassembling of (Gd)_n(H₈X)_m(RPy)_maggregates.     

Metal Template Synthesis of ‘Broken’ Aromatic Preorganized Terdentate Hosts for the Recognition of Lanthanide Tris-β-Diketonate Guests

The binding of the terdentate precursor 2,2′-(4-methyl-3,5-divinylpyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(1-allyl-5-bromo-1H-benzo[d]imidazole) ( 1 ) to the lanthanide container [Ln(hfac)₃] (Ln=La, Eu, Gd, Y, Er; H-hfac=1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dione) ensures the cis-cis orientation of the two adjacent α,α′-diimine units that is required for the successful intramolecular Grubb ring-closing metathesis generating the target rigid 6-methyl-9,11-dihydro-1H,3H-2λ²,10λ²-pyrido[2,3-c:6,5-c′]bis(azepine) scaffold decorated with two terminal 5-bromo-1H-benzo[d]imidazole in ligand L7 . The bond valence analysis of the crystal structures of the associated nine-coordinate adducts [ L7 Ln(hfac)₃] (Ln=La, Eu, Gd, Er, Y) reveals a satisfying match between the rigid terdentate cavity and the size of the bound lanthanide metal, with a pronounced preference for the largest lanthanum cation. Thermodynamic studies in dichloromethane confirm the formation of [ L7 Ln(hfac)₃] adducts with unprecedented stabilities due to the removal of the energy penalty associated with trans-trans to cis-cis reorganization. The introduction of saturated methylene groups within the polyaromatic ligand backbone breaks extended aromatic delocalization and clears the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum from emission arising from low-energy ligand-based excited states.     

Mechanism for Solvent Extraction of Lanthanides from Chloride Media by Basic Extractants

The solvent extraction of lanthanides from chloride media to an organic phase containing an anion exchanger in the chloride form is known to show low extraction percentages and small separation factors. The coordination chemistry of the lanthanides in combination with this kind of extractant is poorly understood. Previous work has mainly used solvent extraction based techniques (slope analysis, fittings of the extraction curves) to derive the extraction mechanism of lanthanides from chloride media. In this paper, EXAFS spectra, luminescence lifetimes, excitation and emission spectra, and organic phase loadings of lanthanides in dry, water-saturated and diluted Aliquat 336 chloride or Cyphos IL 101 have been measured. The data show the formation of the hydrated lanthanide ion [Ln(H₂O)_8–9]³⁺ in undiluted and diluted Aliquat 336 and the complex [LnCl₆]^3? in dry Aliquat 336. The presence of the same species [Ln(H₂O)_8–9]³⁺ in the aqueous and in the organic phase explains the small separation factors and the poor selectivities for the separation of mixtures of lanthanides. Changes in separation factors with increasing chloride concentrations can be explained by changes in stability of the lanthanide chloro complexes in the aqueous phase, in combination with the extraction of the hydrated lanthanide ion to the organic phase. Finally, it is shown that the organic phase can be loaded with 107 g·L^?1 of Nd(III) under the optimal conditions.     

Competitive Coordination of Chloride and Fluoride Anions Towards Trivalent Lanthanide Cations (La3+ and Nd3+) in Molten Salts

Molten salt electrolysis is a vital technique to produce high-purity lanthanide metals and alloys. However, the coordination environments of lanthanides in molten salts, which heavily affect the related redox potential and electrochemical properties, have not been well elucidated. Here, the competitive coordination of chloride and fluoride anions towards lanthanide cations (La³⁺ and Nd³⁺) is explored in molten LiCl-KCl-LiF-LnCl₃ salts using electrochemical, spectroscopic, and computational approaches. Electrochemical analyses show that significant negative shifts in the reduction potential of Ln³⁺ occur when F⁻ concentration increases, indicating that the F⁻ anions interact with Ln³⁺ via substituting the coordinated Cl⁻ anions, and confirm [LnCl_xF_y]^3−x−y (y_max=3) complexes are prevailing in molten salts. Spectroscopic and computational results on solution structures further reveal the competition between Cl⁻ and F⁻ anions, which leads to the formation of four distinct Ln(III) species: [LnCl₆]³⁻, [LnCl₅F]³⁻, [LnCl₄F₂]³⁻ and [LnCl₄F₃]⁴⁻. Among them, the seven-coordinated [LnCl₄F₃]⁴⁻ complex possesses a low-symmetry structure evidenced by the pattern change of Raman spectra. After comparing the polarizing power (Z/r) among different metal cations, it was concluded that Ln−F interaction is weaker than that between transition metal and F⁻ ions.     

Identification of the Structural Boundary between [Ln(18‐crown‐6)(NO3)3] and [Ln(NO3)3(H2O)3] · 18‐crown‐6 Motifs in the Lanthanide Series

Recrystallization of Ln(NO₃)₃ (Ln = Sm, Eu, Yb) in the presence of 18‐crown‐6 under aqueous conditions yielded [Ln(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₃] · 18‐crown‐6. X‐ray crystallography revealed isomorphous structures for each of the lanthanide complexes where [Ln(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₃] is involved in hydrogen bonding interactions with 18‐crown‐6. The transition point where the structural motif changes from [Ln(18‐crown‐6)(NO₃)₃] (with the metal residing in the crown cavity) to [Ln(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₃] · 18‐crown‐6 has been identified as at the Nd/Sm interface. A similar investigation involving [Ln(tos)₃(H₂O)₆] (tos = p‐toluenesulfonate) and 18‐crown‐6 were resistant to crown incorporation. X‐ray studies show extensive intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bonding is present.     

Preparation, spectroscopic properties of 1,4-di (N,N-diisopropylacetamido)-2,3(1H,4H)-quinoxalinedione (L) lanthanide complexes and the supramolecular structure of [Nd2L2(NO3)6(H2O)2]·H2O

The reaction of lanthanide nitrate with 1,4-di (N,N-diisopropylacetamido)-2,3(1H,4H)-quinoxalinedione (L) yields six novel Ln(III) complexes ([Ln₂L₂(NO₃)₆(H₂O)₂]·H₂O) which are characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), conductivity measurements, IR, electronic and ¹H NMR spectroscopies. A new quinoxalinedione-based ligand is used as antenna ligand to sensitize the emission of lanthanide cations. The lowest triplet state energy level of the ligand in the nitrate complex matches better to the resonance level of Eu(III) and Sm(III) than Tb(III) and Dy(III) ion. The f-f fluorescence is induced in the Eu³⁺ and Sm³⁺ complexes by exciting into the π-π* absorptions of the ligand in the UV. Furthermore, the crystal structures of a novel binuclear complex [Nd₂L₂(NO₃)₆(H₂O)₂]·H₂O has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The binuclear [Nd₂L₂(NO₃)₆(H₂O)₂]·H₂O complex units are linked by the intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions to form a two-dimensional (2-D) layer supramolecule.     

Structural and selectivity of 18-crown-6 ligand in lanthanide-picrate complexes

The selectivity factor in the separation of lanthanide could be associated with the coordination behaviour. Thus, we observed the study in the solid phase to understand the coordination pattern of Ln(III) with the 18-crown-6 (18C6) ligand. Good selectivity of the rigid 18C6 ligand toward Ln(III) depends on gradually smaller their ionic radii of Ln(III) in the complexes formation in the presence of picrate anion (Pic⁻), i.e. lanthanide contraction and steric effects as clearly shown in the series of [Ln(Pic)₂(18C6)]⁺(Pic)⁻ {Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd} and [Ln(Pic)₃(OH₂)₃] · 2(18C6) · 4H₂O {Ln = Tb, Ho} complexes. The La-Gd complexes crystallized in an orthorhombic with space group Pbca, while the Ho complex crystallized in triclinic with space group . The lighter lanthanides complexes [La-Sm] had a 10-coordination number from the 18C6 ligand and the two picrates, forming a bicapped square-antiprismatic geometry. Meanwhile, the middle lanthanide complex [Gd] had a nine-coordination number from the 18C6 ligand and the two picrates, forming a tricapped trigonal prismatic geometry. The heavier lanthanide [Ho] is rather unique, since Ho(III) coordinated with nine oxygen atoms from three picrates and three water molecules in the opposite direction whereas three 18C6 molecules surrounded in the inner coordination sphere, forming a trigonal tricapped prismatic geometry. The 18C6 ligand is effective in controlling the molecular geometry and coordination bonding of Ln-O and can use a crystal engineering approach. No dissociation of Ln-O bonds in solution was observed in NMR studies conducted at different temperatures. The photoluminescence spectrum of the Pr complex has typical 4f-4f emission transitions, i.e. ³P₀ → ³F₂ (650 nm), ¹D₂ → ³F₂ (830 nm) and ¹D₂ → ³F₄ (950 nm).     

Basic Study of Lanthanide Nitrate Species in Solution by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Lanthanide nitrate (Ln(NO₃)₃) solutions were analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) to characterize the solution states of the lanthanides. The following monomer species were observed: [Ln(OH)(H₂O) _j ]²⁺, [Ln(OH)₂(H₂O) _k ]⁺, [Ln(NO₃)(OH)(H₂O) _l ]⁺ and [Ln(NO₃)₂(H₂O) _m ]⁺ (j,k,l,m: numbers of adducted H₂O). The peak intensity ratio of each Ln species was calculated from the peak intensity of the Ln species divided by the total peak intensity of all the Ln species. The change in the relative peak intensities of [Ln(OH)(H₂O) _j ]²⁺ and [Ln(OH)₂(H₂O) _k ]⁺ was consistent with changes in the hydration number of Ln (La to Tb: 9, Tb to Lu: 8). The behavior of the relative peak intensity of [Ln(NO₃)(OH)(H₂O) _l ]⁺ against the atomic number of Ln was similar to those of the stability constants of the lanthanides and the nitrate group. ESI-MS is expected to be a useful technique for examining lanthanide reactions in solution.     

Use of the macrocyclic ligand cucurbit[6]uril for isolation of tetranuclear lanthanide aquahydroxo-carboxylate complexes from aqueous solutions

The tetranuclear lanthanide complexes {[Ln₄(μ₃-OH)₄(μ₂-OH)₂(C₅NH₄COO)₂ (H₂O)₄-(C₃₆H₃₆N₂₄O₁₂)₂][Ln(H₂O)₈]_1.5[Ln(H₂O)₆(NO₃)₂]_0.5} (NO₃)₉·nH₂O (Ln = Ho, Gd, or Er) were prepared by heating (130 °C) aqueous solutions of lanthanide nitrates, cucurbit[6]uril (C₃₆H₃₆N₂₄O₁₂), and 4-cyanopyridine. The tetradentate coordination of the macrocyclic cucurbit[6]uril ligands through the portals leads to the formation of sandwich compounds, in which the tetranuclear hydroxo complex is located between two macrocyclic molecules. The polynuclear complexes are additionally stabilized by the chelating effect of the isonicotinate ligands generated by hydrolysis of 4-cyanopyridine. In the complexes, the aromatic moiety of the isonicotinate ion is encapsulated into the hydrophobic inner cavity of cucurbit[6]uril. In the absence of cucurbit[6]uril, the reaction with 4-cyanopyridine produces only the polymeric complexes [Nd(C₅NH₄COO)₃(H₂O)₂] and [Ln(C₅NH₄COO)₂(H₂O)₄]NO₃ (Ln = Pr, Sm, or Gd), whose structures were established by X-ray diffraction. In water and aqueous solutions of nonionic and cationic surfactants, irreversible changes of the tetranuclear fragment of the complex (Ln = Gd) were observed after storage for two days, whereas the anionic surfactant stabilizes the complexes. Dedicated to Academician O. M. Nefedov on the occasion of his 75th birthday. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 1885–1894, November, 2006.     

Aquadimethylsulfoxide complexes of rare earth elements Pr,Eu, and Tm with the [Mo3S7Br7]3− cluster anion

New complexes of rare earth elements [Ln(DMSO)_m(H₂O)_n][Mo₃S₇Br₇], Ln=Pr, Eu, Tm were synthesized and investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis. In [Pr(DMSO)₆(H₂O)₂]³⁺ and [Eu(DMSO)₇(H₂O)]³⁺, the coordination polyhedra of Ln are distorted, square antiprisms (coordination number is 8); in [Tm(DMSO)₆(H₂O)]³⁺, the coordination polyhedron of Ln is a distorted pentagonal bipyramid (coordination number is 7). In all complexes, DMSO is coordinated via oxygen atoms. Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Swiss Technological Institute, Zurich, Switzerland. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 36, No. 6, pp. 1046–1069, November–December, 1995. Translated by L. Smolina