Isomorphous Lanthanide Complexes of a Tripodal N4O3 Ligand

Abstract

The heptadentate ligand 2,2¢,2¢¢-tris(salicylideneimino)triethylamine (H₃trensal) has been complexed with the lanthanides Sm ^III , Eu ^III , Tb ^III and Er ^III . The resulting [Ln(trensal)] complexes are isomorphous. We demonstrate that the method of preparation of these complexes is important in ensuring structural homogeneity across the Ln ^III series.