Reactions of heavier lanthanides with hydrazine in the presence of sulphur dioxide

Hydrazine hydrate reacts with sulphur dioxide in aqueous solution in the presence of heavier lanthanide(III) ions to give variety of complexes. The nature of product formed is highly pH dependent. Several hydrazine complexes of Ln(III) ions of the compositions Ln(N₂H₃SOO)₃(H₂O), Ln₂(SO₃)₃·2N₂H₄ and N₂H₅Ln(SO₃)₂(H₂O)₂ where Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb or Dy and the precursors for the hydrazinium lanthanide sulphite hydrates, the anhydrous lanthanide hydrazinecarboxylates, Ln(N₂H₃COO)₃ where Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb or Dy have been prepared and characterized by analytical, spectral, thermal and X-ray powder diffraction techniques. The infrared spectral data are in favour of the coordination of hydrazine and water molecules. These complexes decompose in three stages to yield respective oxides as final residue. The final residues were confirmed by their X-ray powder diffraction patterns and TG mass losses. The SEM photographs of some of the oxides show a lot of cracks indicating that large quantity of gases evolved during decomposition.