Syntheses,characterization and thermal properties of the lanthanide complexes with 2-mercaptonicotinic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline

Fourteen new complexes with the general formula of Ln(Hmna)₃(phen) (H₂mna = 2-mercaptonicotinic acid and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra and thermogravimetric analyses. In addition, molar specific heat capacities were determined by a microcalorimeter at 298.15 K. The IR spectra of the complexes showed that the Ln³⁺ coordinated with the oxygen atoms of H₂mna and the nitrogen atoms of phen. The complexes decomposed directly to oxides Ln₂O₃, CeO₂, Pr₆O₁₁, and Tb₄O₇ in one step. The values of molar specific heat capacities for fourteen solid complexes were plotted against the atomic numbers of lanthanide, which presented as “tripartite effect”. It suggested a certain amount of covalent character existed in the bond of Ln³⁺ and ligands, according with nephelauxetic effect of 4f electrons of rare earth ions. The article is published in the original.