Synthesis and Characterization of Homoleptic Rare Earth Nitrato Complexes with the Quaternary Ammonium Cations Et 4 N + and n Pr 4 N +
Two periodic series of homoleptic rare earth nitrato com plexes, [R 4 N] x [M(NO 3 ) y ](M = La-Nd, Sm-Lu, Y); R = Et, $n$ Pr; x = 2-3; y = 5-6) have been synthesized, and charac terized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR and Raman spectroscopy, comparing the solid state speciation of the nitrate ions as a function of lanthanide ion and quarternary ammonium cation. The series of the form [Et 4 N] 3 [Ln(NO 3 ) 6 ] crystallizes in the rhombohedral space group $R$$\bar{3}$, as a twelve-coordinate hexanitrato complex [Et 4 N] 3 [Ln(NO 3 ) 6 ] with cocrystallized HNO 3 for La, Pr, and Nd. For Ce, a distinct orthorhombic phase retaining the same formula, [Et 4 N] 3 [Ce(NO 3 ) 6 ] is isolated in the absence of HNO 3 to prevent oxidation of the Ce(III) to Ce(IV) in nitric acid. A ten-coordinate pentanitrato complex, [Et 4 N] 2 [Ln(NO 3 ) 5 ], in monoclinic symmetry forms for the remainder of the series, and for Y(III). The entire series crystallized in the presence of [ $n$ Pr 4 N] + counterions forms a pentanitrato complex [ $n$ Pr 4 N] 2 [M(NO 3 ) 5 ] in the orthorhombic space group, $Pccn$. In conclusion, analysis of trends in the structural and spectroscopic characteristics of these series reveal insight into the structure directing influences of both the lanthanide contraction and the quarternary ammonium cations.