Synthesis and crystal structural characterization of an unsymmetric neodymium(III) cryptate

Abstract

The complex [Nd(HL)(NO₃)(H₃O)]NO₃·6H₂O was synthesized by the 2 + 3 condensation of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) with 2,6-diformyl-4-chlorophenol in the presence of Nd³⁺ as the template. The complex has been characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity and IR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of the complex [Nd(HL)(NO₃)(H₃O)]NO₃·2MeOH has been determined. The co-ordination number of neodymium(III) is nine and its co-ordination geometry is monocapped square antiprismatic. One oxonium ion acts as a guest molecule encapsulated in the cryptate. The existence of the oxomium ion was confirmed by electrospray mass spectrometry, thermal analysis, X-ray crystal structure determination and ¹H NMR spectroscopy.