Direct Electrochemical Synthesis and Characterization of Samarium(III) and Neodymium(III) Complexes with 2-Hydroxy-2,4,6-cycloheptatrienone (Tropolone)

Abstract Tris(tropolonato)samarium(III), SmT3, and tris(tropolonato)neodymium(III), NdT3, have been prepared in high yields by the electrochemical oxidation of samarium and neodymium metal anodes in acetonitrile solution of 2-hydroxy-2,4,6-cycloheptatrienone (tropolone, HT). The unusual divalent Ln(II) complexes are formed at the one step of the electrochemical reaction. The final products, Sm(C7H5O2)3 and Nd(C7H5O2)3, have been characterized by microanalyses and IR, Raman, 1H and 13C NMR spectral studies.