Isomerization of a lanthanide complex using a humming top guest template: a solid-to-solid reaction

Abstract

SbPh₃Cl₂ is used to effect a dramatic rearrangment of the ligand sphere and “pancake bonding” in Ce(hfac)₃(5′-Br-pyDTDA)₂, by forming a 2 : 1 host–guest complex supported by numerous non-covalent contacts (hfac = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonato-; 5′-Br-pyDTDA = 4-(5′-bromopyrid-2′-yl)-1,2,3,5-dithiadiazolyl). The host–guest complex forms quantitatively in a solvent-free solid-to-solid reaction and crystals are grown by sublimation.