Synthesis and characterization of Pr(III), Nd(III) and Er(III) complexes with 2,6-pyridinedimethanol

The reactions of Ln(NO₃)₃?6H₂O (Ln=Pr, Nd or Er) with the potentially tridentate O,N,O chelating ligand 2,6-pyridinedimethanol (H₂pydm) in a 1:2 M ratio were investigated, and complexes with the formula Ln(H₂pydm)₂(NO₃)₂](NO₃) (Ln=Pr or Nd) (1 and 2) and Er(H₂pydm)₃](NO₃)₃ (3) were isolated. The compounds contain 10-coordinate Pr(III) and Nd(III) ions that crystallize in the triclinic space group P-1 while the 9-coordinate Er(III) complex crystallizes in the monoclinic system (P2₁/n). A new lanthanide complex, Pr(H₂pydm)₃](Cl)₃?DMF (4), has been synthesized by reaction of PrCl₃?6H₂O and H₂pydm. The nine-coordinate Pr(III) is bound to three H₂pydm ligands. X-ray crystal structures of 1–4 reveal that the ligand coordinates tridentate via the pyridyl nitrogen and the two hydroxyl oxygens. The electronic absorption spectra of 1–4 show 4f–4f transitions.