Syntheses and crystal structures of anhydrous Ln(hfac)3(monoglyme). Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, Tm

The crystal structures of a broad series of anhydrous Ln(hfac)3(monoglyme) complexes, prepared in moderate to high yield, are presented: hfac = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonato-; Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, Tm. This study contradicts the general assumption that monoglyme is too small a polyether to act as a partitioning agent displacing coordinated water on the larger lanthanide(III) ions. The structures of an intermediate La(hfac)3(monoglyme)2 species and the hydrated Ce(hfac)3(monoglyme)(H2O) species are also included. The crystallographic evidence presented herein is supplemented by other characterization techniques (melting point, IR, etc.) and trends are delineated.