Synthesis and structure of two crystalline modifications of Bis(1,10-Phenanthroline)trinitratoeuropium(III) Eu(NO3)3(Phen)2

Two crystalline modifications (I and II) of the phenanthroline complex of europium nitrate with the same chemical composition, Eu(NO₃)₃(Phen)₂, are synthesized under different conditions by varying the solvents, temperatures, and crystallization rates. The crystal structures of these modifications are determined using X-ray diffraction. Crystalline modifications I and II differ in the unit cell parameters and the positions of the complexes in the unit cell. The geometric characteristics of the complexes in the structures of compounds I and II differ insignificantly. Crystals of compound I belong to the isostructural family Ln(NO₃)₃(Phen)₂ (Ln = La-Lu). Crystals of compound II (new phase) are studied for the first time. Crystals of I and II are monoclinic, space group C2/c, and Z = 4. The unit cell parameters are as follows: a = 11.1555(10) Å, b = 17.9698(10) Å, c = 13.0569(10) Å, β = 100.507(10)°, and V = 2572.1(3) ų for modification I and a = 9.5153(10) Å, b = 15.4546(10) Å, c = 17.1763(10) Å, β = 93.451(10)°, and V = 2521.3(3) ų for modification II. The difference between the molecular complexes in the structures of compounds I and II is revealed by the superposition method. Complexes II are arranged along the C ₂ axis and are statistically disordered with respect to this axis.