Spectral and Thermal Studies of Rare Earth Element 3-methylglutarates

Conditions for the formation of rare earth element (Y, La–Lu) 3-methylglutarates were studied and their quantitative composition and solubilities in water at 293 K were determined (10^–2 mol dm^–3). The IR spectra of the prepared complexes with general formula Ln₂(C₆H₈O₄)₃ nH₂O (n=3–8) were recorded and their thermal decomposition in the air were investigated. During heating the hydrated 3-methylglutarates are dehydrated in one step and next anhydrous complexes decompose to oxides Ln₂O₃ with intermediate formation Ln₂O₂CO₃ (Y, La, Nd–Gd) or directly to the oxides, Ln₂O₃, CeO₂, Pr₆O₁₁ and Tb₄O₇ (Ce, Pr, Tb–Lu). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.