Syntheses and crystal structures of four lanthanide complexes based on two tri-protonated hexacarboxylic acids of 1,2,3,4,5,6-cyclohexane-hexacarboxylic acid and mellitic acid

Four lanthanide complexes with two tri-protonated hexacarboxylic acids 1,2,3,4,5,6-cyclohexane-hexacarboxylic acid (H₆chhc) and mellitic acid (H₆Mel)], Pr(H₃chhc)(DMF)₃(H₂O)]·H₂O (1), Nd(H₃chhc)(DMF)₃ (2), Er(H₂O)₈]·(H₃Mel)·9(H₂O) (3), and Yb(H₂O)₈]·(H₃Mel)·8.5(H₂O) (4), have been synthesized in solution at room temperature and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectrum, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 are made up of a (4⁴, 6²) 2-D network extended infinitely parallel to the (1?0?0) plane. The H₃chhc^3? anions assume a cis-e,a,e,a,e,a-conformation with the central ring in chair-shaped configuration. In 3 and 4, the H₃Mel^3? as counter ions are interconnected by hydrogen bonds to form 2-D organic supramolecular layers. The coordination modes and abilities of H₆chhc and mellitic acid are discussed and compared. The luminescences of 1–4 have been investigated.