Solvent Extraction and Complexation Studies of Pyridine-di-Phosphonates with Lanthanides(III) in Solutions

In this work, we studied the complex formation (1H, 31P NMR-titration, UV–vis titration, luminescent titration) and solvent extraction of lanthanides with pyridine diphosphonates. The stoichiometry of the complexes was determined: ML and ML2 forms are present. This is confirmed by all of the above methods. It was found that the pyridine ring and P=O groups are involved in the coordination of the metal cation. The coordination environment of the Eu(III) cation was studied more thoroughly using the EXAFS method in solution. Coordination numbers and distances were determined for the complex in solution. The influence of the lanthanide radius on the value of the stability constant was shown. The change in extraction efficiency in the series of lanthanide is described. A new pattern, unusual for other phosphorus-containing ligands, was obtained. To explain the change in the parameters of complexation depending on the system, DFT calculations were carried out. The effect of various initial states of the extracted cations was shown. The initial state with a large amount of nitrates corresponds to a two-phase system during extraction, and with a smaller amount, to a single-phase system with acetonitrile. Additionally, the luminescent properties of the complexes were described in detail as one more applied aspect of the work. .