Synthesis And Characterization Of Complexes Of Rare Earth Elements With 1,1-Cyclobutanedicarboxylic Acid

The complexes of yttrium and lanthanide with 1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylic acid of the formula: Ln₂(C₆H₆O₄)₃⋅nH₂O, where n=4 for Y, Pr–Tm, n=5 for Yb,Lu, n=7 for La, Ce have been studied. The solid complexes have colours typical of Ln³⁺ ions. During heating in air they lose water molecules and then decompose to the oxides, directly (Y, Ce, Tm, Yb) or with intermediate formation. The thermal decomposition is connected with released water (313–353 K), carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons(538–598 K) and carbon oxide for Ho and Lu. When heated in nitrogen they dehydrate to form anhydrous salt and next decompose to the mixture of carbon and oxides of respective metals. IR spectra of the prepared complexes suggest that the carboxylate groups are bidentate chelating. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.