The first homoleptic bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide complex compounds of trivalent f-elements

The synthesis and crystal structures of the first true homoleptic bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide complex compounds of trivalent f-elements are reported with [bmpyr]2[Ln(Tf2N)5], Ln = Nd, Tb and [bmpyr][Ln(Tf2N)4], Ln = Tm, Lu.     

The effects of light lanthanoid elements (La, Ce, Nd) on (Ar)CF-Ln coordination and C-F activation in N,N-dialkyl-N'-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenylethane-1,2-diaminate complexes

A new class of homoleptic organoamido rare earth complexes [Ln(L(Me) or L(Et))(3)] (Ln = La, Ce, Nd; L(Me/Et) = p-HC(6)F(4)N(CH(2))(2)NMe(2)/Et(2)) exhibiting (Ar)CF-Ln interactions has been isolated from redox-transmetallation/protolysis (RTP) reactions between the free metals, Hg(C(6)F(5))(2) and L(Me/Et)H in tetrahydrofuran, together with low yields of [Ln(L(Me))(2)F](3) (Ln = La, Ce) or [Nd(L(Et))(2)F](2) species, resulting from C-F activation reactions. The structures of the homoleptic complexes have eight-coordinate Ln metals with two tridentate (N,N',F) amide ligands including (Ar)CF-Ln bonds and either a bidentate (N,F) ligand (Ln = La, Ce, Nd; L(Et)) or a bidentate (N,N') ligand (Ln = Nd; L(Me)), in an unusual case of linkage variation. All (Ar)CF-Ln bond lengths are shorter than or similar to the corresponding Ln-NMe(2)/Et(2) bond lengths. In [Ln(L(Me))(2)F](3) (Ln = La, Ce) complexes, there is a six-membered ring framework with alternating F and Ln atoms and the metal atoms are eight-coordinate with two tridentate (N,N',F) L(Me) ligands, whilst [Nd(L(Et))(2)F](2) is a fluoride-bridged dimer.     

Two new groups of homoleptic rare earth pyridylbenzimidazolates: (NC12H8(NH)2)[Ln(N3C12H8)4] with Ln = Y,Tb, Yb,and [Ln(N3C12H8)2(N3C12H9)2][Ln(N3C12H8)4](N3C12H9)2 with Ln = La,Sm, Eu

The compounds (NC(12)H(8)(NH)(2))[Ln(N(3)C(12)H(8))(4)], Ln = Y, Tb, Yb, and [Ln(N(3)C(12)H(8))(2)(N(3)C(12)H(9))(2)][Ln(N(3)C(12)H(8))(4)](N(3)C(12)H(9))(2), with Ln = La, Sm, Eu, were obtained by reactions of the group 3 metals yttrium and lanthanum as well as the lanthanides europium, samarium, terbium, and ytterbium with 2-(2-pyridyl)-benzimidazole. The reactions were carried out in melts of the amine without any solvent and led to two new groups of homoleptic rare earth pyridylbenzimidazolates. The trivalent rare earth atoms have an eightfold nitrogen coordination of four chelating pyridylbenzimidazolates giving an ionic structure with either pyridylbenzimidazolium or [Ln(N(3)C(12)H(8))(2)(N(3)C(12)H(9))(2)](+) counterions. With Y, Eu, Sm, and Yb, single crystals were obtained whereas the La- and Tb-containing compounds were identified by powder methods. The products were investigated by X-ray single crystal or powder diffraction and MIR and far-IR spectroscopy, and with DTA/TG regarding their thermal behavior. They are another good proof of the value of solid-state reaction methods for the formation of homoleptic pnicogenides of the lanthanides. Despite their difference in the chemical formula, both types (NC(12)H(8)(NH)(2))[Ln(N(3)C(12)H(8))(4)], Ln = Y (1), Tb (2), Yb (3), and [Ln(N(3)C(12)H(8))(2)(N(3)C(12)H(9))(2)][Ln(N(3)C(12)H(8))(4)](N(3)C(12)H(9))(2), Ln = La (4), Sm (5), Eu (6), crystallize isotypic in the tetragonal space group I4(1). Crystal data for (1): T = 170(2) K, a = 1684.9(1) pm, c = 3735.0(3) pm, V = 10603.5(14) x 10(6) pm(3), R1 for F(o) > 4sigma(F(o)) = 0.053, wR2 = 0.113. Crystal data for (3): T = 170(2) K, a = 1683.03(7) pm, c = 3724.3(2) pm, V = 10549.4(14) x 10(6) pm(3), R1 for F(o) > 4sigma(F(o)) = 0.047, wR2 = 0.129. Crystal data for (5): T = 103(2) K, a = 1690.1(2) pm, c = 3759.5(4) pm, V = 10739(2) x 10(6) pm(3), R1 for F(o) > 4sigma(F(o)) = 0.050, wR2 = 0.117. Crystal data for (6): T = 170(2) K, a = 1685.89(9) pm, c = 3760.0(3) pm, V = 10686.9(11) x 10(6) pm(3), R1 for F(o) > 4sigma(F(o)) = 0.060, wR2 = 0.144.     

Highly atom efficient guanylation of both aromatic and secondary amines catalyzed by simple lanthanide amides

It is demonstrated that the cyclopentadienyl-free simple lanthanide amides [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](3)Ln(mu-Cl)Li(THF)(3)(Ln = La, Sm, Eu, Y, Yb) and Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)]3 (Ln = Y, Yb) are highly efficient catalysts for the guanylation of both aromatic and secondary amines with a high activity under mild conditions. It is found that these catalysts are compatible with a wide range of solvents and substrates.     

Orthonitridoborate ions [BN3]6- in oxonitridosilicate cages: synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of Ba4Pr7[Si12N23O][BN3], Ba4Nd7[Si12N23O][BN3], and Ba4Sm7[Si12N23O][BN3

The isotypic title compounds Ba4Pr7[Si12N23O][BN3], Ba4Nd7[Si12N23O][BN3], and Ba4Sm7[Si12N23O][BN3] were prepared by reaction of Pr, Nd, or Sm, with barium, BaCO3, Si(NH)2, and poly(boron amide imide) in nitrogen atmosphere in tungsten crucibles using a radiofrequency furnace at temperatures up to 1650 C. They were obtained as main products (approximately 70%) embedded in a very hard glass matrix in the form of intense dark green (Pr), orange-brown (Sm), or dark red (Nd) large single crystals, respectively. The stoichiometric composition of Ba4Sm7[Si12N23O][BN3] was verified by a quantitative elemental analysis. According to the single-crystal X-ray structure determinations (Ba4Ln7[Si12N23][BN3], Z= , P6 with Ln = Pr: a = 1225.7(1), c = 544.83(9) pm, R1 = 0.013, wR2 = 0.030; Ln = Nd: a = 1222.6(1), c = 544.6(1) pm, R1 = 0.017, wR2 = .039; Ln = Sm: a = 1215.97(5), c = 542.80(5) pm, R1 = 0.047, wR2 = 0.099) all three compounds are built up by a framework structure [Si12N23O]23- of corner-sharing SiX4 tetrahedrons (X = O, N). The oxygen atoms are randomly distributed over the X positions. The trigonal-planar orthonitridoborate ions [BN3]6- and also the Ln(3)3+ are situated in hexagonal cages of the framework (bond lengths Si-(N/O) 169-179 pm for Ln=Pr). The remaining Ba2+ and Ln3- ions are positioned in channels of the large-pored network. The trigonal-planar [BN3]6- ions have a B-N distance of 147.1(6) pm (for Ln = Pr). Temperature-dependent susceptibility measurements for Ba4Nd7[Si12N23O][BN3] revealed Curie-Weiss behavior above 60 K with an experimental magnetic moment of muexp = 3.36(5) microB/Nd. The deviation from Curie-Weiss behavior below 60 K may be attributed to crystal field splitting of the J = 9/2 ground state of the Nd3+ ions. No magnetic ordering is evident down to 4.2 K.     

Lanthanoid-based ionic liquids incorporating the dicyanonitrosomethanide anion

A series of low-melting-point salts with hexakisdicyanonitrosomethanidolanthanoidate anions has been synthesised and characterised: (C(2) mim)(3) [Ln(dcnm)(6)] (1?Ln; 1?Ln=1?La, 1?Ce, 1?Pr, 1?Nd), (C(2) C(1) mim)(3) [Pr(dcnm)(6)] (2?Pr), (C(4) C(1) pyr)(3) [Ce(dcnm)(6)] (3?Ce), (N(1114))(3) [Ln(dcnm)(6)] (4?Ln; 4?Ln=4?La, 4?Ce, 4?Pr, 4?Nd, 4?Sm, 4?Gd), and (N(1112OH) )(3) [Ce(dcnm)(6)] (5?Ce) (C(2) mim=1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, C(2) C(1) mim=1-ethyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium, C(4) C(1) py=N-butyl-4-methylpyridinium, N(1114) =butyltrimethylammonium, N(1112OH) =2-(hydroxyethyl)trimethylammonium=choline). X-ray crystallography was used to determine the structures of complexes 1?La, 2?Pr, and 5?Ce, all of which contain [Ln(dcnm)(6)](3-) ions. Complexes 1?Ln and 2?Pr were all ionic liquids (ILs), with complex 3?Ce melting at 38.1?°C, the lowest melting point of any known complex containing the [Ln(dcnm)(6)](3-) trianion. The ammonium-based cations proved to be less suitable for forming ILs, with complexes 4?Sm and 4?Gd being the only salts with the N(1114) cation to have melting points below 100?°C. The choline-containing complex 5?Ce did not melt up to 160?°C, with the increase in melting point possibly being due to extensive hydrogen bonding, which could be inferred from the crystal structure of the complex.     

Reactivity of organolanthanide and organolithium complexes containing the guanidinate ligands toward isocyanate or carbodiimide: synthesis and crystal structures

The direct reactions of (C5H5)2LnCl with LiN=C(NMe2)2 proceeded at room temperature in THF under pure nitrogen to yield the lanthanocene guanidinate complexes [(C5H5)2Ln(mu-eta1:eta2-N=C(NMe2)2)]2 (Ln = Gd (1), Er (2)). Treatment of phenyl isocyanate with complexes 1 and 2 results in monoinsertion of phenyl isocyanate into the Ln-N(mu-Gua) bond to yield the corresponding insertion products [(C5H5)2Ln(mu-eta1:eta2-OC(N=C(NMe2)2)NPh)]2 (Ln = Gd (3), Er (4)), presenting the first example of unsaturated organic small molecule insertion into the metal-guanidinate ligand bond. Further investigations indicate that N,N'-diisopropylcarbodiimide does not react with complexes 1 and 2 under the same conditions; however, it readily inserts into the lithium-guanidinate ligand bond of LiN=C(NMe2)2. As a synthon of the insertion product Li[(iPrN)2C(N=C(NMe2)2)], its reaction with (C5H5)2LnCl gives the novel organolanthanide complexes containing the guanidinoacetamidinate ligand, (C5H5)2Ln[(iPrN)2C(N=C(NMe2)2)] (Ln = Yb (5), Er (6), Dy (7)). All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic properties. The structures of complexes 1, 3, 5 and 7 were determined through X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis.     

Coordination chemistry of trivalent lanthanide and actinide ions in dilute and concentrated chloride solutions

We have used EXAFS spectroscopy to investigate the inner sphere coordination of trivalent lanthanide (Ln) and actinide (An) ions in aqueous solutions as a function of increasing chloride concentration. At low chloride concentration, the hydration numbers and corresponding Ln,An-O bond lengths are as follows: La3+, N = 9.2, R = 2.54 A; Ce3+, N = 9.3, R = 2.52 A; Nd3+, N = 9.5, R = 2.49 A; Eu3+, N = 9.3, R = 2.43 A; Yb3+, N = 8.7, R = 2.32 A; Y3+, N = 9.7, R = 2.36 A; Am3+, N = 10.3, R = 2.48 A; Cm3+, N = 10.2, R = 2.45 A. In ca. 14 M LiCl, the early Ln3+ ions (La, Ce, Nd, and Eu) show inner sphere Cl- complexation along with a loss of H2O. The average chloride coordination numbers and Ln-Cl bond lengths are as follows: La3+, N = 2.1, R = 2.92 A; Ce3+, N = 1.8, R = 2.89 A; Nd3+, N = 1.9, R = 2.85 A; Eu3+, N = 1.1, R = 2.81 A. The extent of Cl- ion complexation decreases going across the Ln3+ series to the point where Yb3+ shows no Cl- complexation and no loss of coordinated water molecules. The actinide ions, Am3+ and Cm3+, show the same structural effects as the early Ln3+ ions, i.e., Cl- ion replacement of the H2O at high chloride thermodynamic activities. The Clion coordination numbers and An-Cl bond lengths are: Am3+, N = 1.8, R = 2.81 A; Cm3+, N = 2.4, R = 2.76 A. When combined with results reported previously for Pu3+ which showed no significant chloride complexation in 12 M LiCl, these results suggest that the extent of chloride complexation is increasing across the An3+ series. The origin of the differences in chloride complex formation between the Ln3+ and An3+ ions and the relevance to earlier work is discussed.     

Reduction of dinitrogen to planar bimetallic M2(mu-eta 2:eta 2-N2) complexes of Y, Ho, Tm, and Lu using the K/Ln[N(SiMe3)2]3 reduction system

The reaction of Ln[N(SiMe3)2]3 with K under N2 in THF forms the dinitrogen complexes {[(Me3Si)2N]2(THF)Ln}2(mu-eta2:eta2-N2) (Ln = Y, Ho, Tm, and Lu) previously available only for lanthanides with highly reducing divalent states, that is, Tm, Dy, and Nd. The Y and Lu complexes are the first diamagnetic complexes of this type. The Ln2N2 moiety is planar, and the 1.268(3) and 1.285(4) A NN distances in these complexes are consistent with the presence of (N2)2-.     

Synthesis, Structure and Catalytic Activity Comparison of Tris- and Tetracoordinated Lanthanide Amides

Tetracoordinated lanthanide amides [(MeaSi)2N]3Ln (μ-C1)Li(THF)3 (Ln=La (1), Pr (2)) were synthesized by the reaction of anhydrous lanthanide(Ⅲ) chlorides LnCl3 (Ln=La, Pr) with 3 equiv, of lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (Me3Si)2NLi in THF, followed by recrystallization from toluene. Sublimation of 1 and 2 afforded the triscoordinate lanthanide amides [(Me3Si)2N]3Ln (Ln=La, Pr). The crystal structure of 2 was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The catalytic activity studies show that the tetracoordinate amides can be used as single-component MMA (methyl methacrylate) polymerization catalysts, while the triscoordinate amides showed poor activity on MMA polymerization under the same conditions.     

胞嘧啶稀土配合物的振动光谱和结构研究

在无水体系中首次合成三种胞嘧啶稀土配合物Ln(Cyt)2(NO3)3(Ln=La, Ce, Gd)。振动光谱的实验频谱分析以及SAS值和量子化学计算结果, 表明该系列配合物以两个胞嘧啶分子在N(3)和C(2)=O(1)位同稀土配位, 两个硝酸根双齿配位, 形成八配位稀土配合物, 属C2h分子点群。     

Homoleptic lanthanide complexes of chelating bis(phosphanyl)amides: synthesis,structure, and ring-opening polymerization of lactones

Treatment of the bis(phosphanyl)amide (Ph2P)2NH with KH in boiling THF followed by crystallization from THF/n-pentane leads to [K(thf)n][N(PPh2)2] (n = 1.25, 1.5). Reaction of [K(thf)n][N(PPh2)2] with anhydrous yttrium or lanthanide trichlorides in a 3:1 molar ratio afforded homoleptic bis(phosphanyl)amide complexes [Ln[N(PPh2)2]3] (Ln = Y, Er) as large crystals in good yields. [Ln[N(PPh2)2]3] can also be obtained by reaction of the homoleptic bis(trimethylsilyl)amides of Group 3 metals and lanthanides [Ln[N(SiMe3)2]3] (Ln = Y, La, Nd) with three equivalents of (Ph2P)2NH in boiling toluene. The single-crystal X-ray structures of these complexes always show eta 2 coordination of the ligand. Dynamic behavior of the ligand is observed in solution and is caused by rapid exchange of the two different phosphorus atoms. [Ln[N(PPh2)2]3] was used as catalyst for the polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone. Significant differences in terms of correlation of theoretical and experimental molecular weights as well as polydispersities were observed depending on the nature of Ln. On the basis of the crystal structure of the heteroleptic complex [Lu[N(PPh2)2]3(thf)], we suggest that in the initiation step of epsilon-caprolactone polymerization the lactone adds to the lanthanide atom to form a sevenfold coordination sphere around the central atom.     

Facile construction of novel organolanthanide square-planar macrocycles through addition of carbodiimide to an amino group

The reactivity of lanthanocene derivatives containing the p-aminothiophenolate ligand towards carbodiimide was examined. Reaction of Cp2Ln(p-SC6H4NH2)(THF) with RN=C=NR in THF at room temperature gave four novel organolanthanide guanidinate complexes [Cp2Ln(p-SC6H4N(H)C(NHR)=NR)]4 (R = iPr, Ln = Yb (1a), Er (2a); R = Cy, Ln = Yb (2a), Er (2b)), formed by the addition of the C[double bond, length as m-dash]N double bonds of the carbodiimide molecule to the para-position amino group. Their unique square-planar macrocycle structures have been determined through X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. This result provides a potential method for the construction of organolanthanide macrocycles.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of linear heterobimetallic trinuclear Mn2Ln (Ln = Eu, Gd, Dy) complexes

The reaction of (S)P[N(CH(3))N[double bond, length as m-dash]CH-C(6)H(3)-2-OH-3-OCH(3)](3) with a Mn(II) salt followed by a Ln(III) salt (Ln = Eu, Gd and Dy), afforded linear heterometallic complexes [L(2)Mn(2)Ln](+) that showed interesting magnetic properties.     

Cerium(III) and neodymium(III) amides derived from a chelating 2-pyridyl amido ligand

Homoleptic Ce(III) and Nd(III) triamides [LnL(3)] [Ln = Ce(1) or Nd(2)] and the heterobimetallic amide-alkoxide derivatives [LnL(2)(mu-OBu(t))2M(tmeda)] [Ln = Ce, M = Na (3); Ln = Nd, M = Na (4); Ln = Nd, M = K (5)] supported by the bulky [N(SiBu(t)Me2)(2-C(5)H(3)N-6-Me)]- ligand (L-) have been successfully synthesized and characterized. Complexes 1-3 and 5 show a high activity toward the ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone.     

Self-assembly of triple helical and meso-helical cylindrical arrays tunable by bis-tripodal coordination converters

The synergistic interplay of coordination and hydrogen-bonding interactions leads to assembly of isomorphous compounds of the general formula [Ln(ntb) 2](ClO 4) 3.(BDA4BPy) 3.2MeCN} infinity (Ln = La, Sm and Pr, ntb = tris(2-benzimidazoylmethyl)amine, and BDA4BPy = N (1), N (4)-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethylene)-benzene-1,4-diamine), of which polymorphic crystals can be isolated in a different solvent system. In acetonitrile (MeCN) solution, the compounds crystallize as a red color (Ln = La, meso -1, Ln = Pr, meso -2), while in an acetonitrile-benzonitrile (MeCN-PhCN) mixture, yellow crystals are obtained (Ln = Pr, helical - 2). The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of these crystals reveal that the structures display similar cylindrical arrays containing polycompartmental cavities for guest inclusion. Occurrence of polymorphism is due to formation of helical and meso-helical arrays, giving rise to a way to tune the helicity through the solvent effects on the helix propensity of the bis-tripodal coordination converters.     

新型二茂稀土烃硫基配合物的合成与表征

本文用三茂基稀土[(C~5H~5)~3Ln(Ln=Ho(1)，Yb(2)，La(3)，Y(4)]与等摩尔的2-巯基嘧啶(HSC:NCH:CHCH:N·)在四氢呋喃溶剂中于室温下反应，合成了四个对空气敏感的二茂稀土嘧啶巯基配合物。产物经元素分析、红外光谱及质谱鉴定确定其组成为：(C~5H~5)~2LnSC:NCH:CHCH:N·THF[Ln=Ho(1)，Yb(2)，La(3)，Y(4)]。     

Melting point suppression in new lanthanoid(III) ionic liquids by trapping of kinetic polymorphs: an in situ synchrotron powder diffraction study

The complexes (N(4444))(3)[Ln(dcnm)(6)] (Ln = La-Nd, Sm; N(4444) = tetrabutylammonium) display a decrease in the melting point upon fast cooling from a melt, which is shown by in situ synchrotron based X-ray powder diffraction to be due to the formation of a second, less thermodynamically stable, polymorph.     

Regioselective C-H activation of lanthanide-bound N-heterocyclic carbenes

The reaction of Ln(L)N'2 (Ln = Nd, Ce; L = t-BuNCH2CH2[C{NCHCHNt-Bu}], N' = N(SiMe3)2) with trimethylsilyl iodide regiospecifically functionalises the carbene backbone at the C4-carbene ring position to afford the silylated complex Ln(L')N'I; Ln(L')N'2 is isolated after attempted reduction (L' = t-BuNCH2CH2[C{NC(SiMe3)CHNt-Bu}]) which allows a comparison of the structurally characterised complexes Nd(L)N'2, [Nd(L')N'I]2, and Nd(L')N'2.     

Steric modulation of coordination number and reactivity in the synthesis of lanthanoid(III) formamidinates

Reactions of a range of the readily prepared and sterically tunable N,N'-bis(aryl)formamidines with lanthanoid metals and bis(pentafluorophenyl)mercury (Hg(C6F5)2) in THF have given an extensive series of tris(formamidinato)lanthanoid(III) complexes, [Ln(Form)3(thf)n], namely [La(o-TolForm)3(thf)2], [Er(o-TolForm)3(thf)], [La(XylForm)3(thf)], [Sm(XylForm)3], [Ln(MesForm)3] (Ln=La, Nd, Sm and Yb), [Ln(EtForm)3] (Ln=La, Nd, Sm, Ho and Yb), and [Ln(o-PhPhForm)3] (Ln=La, Nd, Sm and Er). [For an explanation of the N,N'-bis(aryl)formamidinate abbreviations used see Scheme 1.] Analogous attempts to prepare [Yb(o-TolForm)3] by this method invariably yielded [{Yb(o-TolForm)2(mu-OH)(thf)}2], but [Yb(o-TolForm)3] was isolated from a metathesis synthesis. X-ray crystal structures show exclusively N,N'-chelation of the Form ligands and a gradation in coordination number with Ln3+ size and with Form ligand bulk. The largest ligands, MesForm, EtForm and o-PhPhForm give solely homoleptic complexes, the first two being six-coordinate, the last having an eta1-pi-Ar--Ln interaction. Reaction of lanthanoid elements and Hg(C6F5)2 with the still bulkier DippFormH in THF resulted in C--F activation and formation of [Ln(DippForm)2F(thf)] (Ln=La, Ce, Nd, Sm and Tm) complexes, and o-HC6F4O(CH2)4DippForm in which the formamidine is functionalised by a ring-opened THF that has trapped tetrafluorobenzyne. Analogous reactions between Ln metals, Hg(o-HC6F4)2 and DippFormH yielded [Ln(DippForm)2F(thf)] (Ln=La, Sm and Nd) and 3,4,5-F3C6H2O(CH2)4DippForm. X-ray crystal structures of the heteroleptic fluorides show six-coordinate monomers with two chelating DippForm ligands and cisoid fluoride and THF ligands in a trigonal prismatic array. The organometallic species [Ln(DippForm)2(C[triple chemical bond]CPh)(thf)] (Ln=Nd or Sm) are obtained from reaction of Nd metal, bis(phenylethynyl)mercury (Hg(C[triple chemical bond]CPh)2) and DippFormH, and the oxidation of [Sm(DippForm)2(thf)2] with Hg(C[triple chemical bond]CPh)2, respectively. The monomeric, six-coordinate, cisoid [Ln(DippForm)2(C[triple chemical bond]CPh)(thf)] complexes have trigonal prismatic geometries and rare (for Ln) terminal C[triple chemical bond]CPh groups with contrasting Ln--C[triple chemical bond]C angles (Ln=Nd, 170.9(4) degrees; Ln=Sm, 142.9(7) degrees). Their formation lends support to the view that [Ln(DippForm)2F(thf)] complexes arise from oxidative formation and C--F activation of [Ln(DippForm)2(C6F5)] intermediates.