An ytterbium(ii) complex with dimethyl ester of oxydiacetic acid

Abstract

An Yb(II) complex with dimethyl ester of oxydiacetic acid, [Yb(CH₃OOCCH₂OCH₂COOCH₃)₃](ClO₄)₂, has been obtained by electrochemical reduction and its crystal structure has been determined. The complex cations have the D₃ (32) crystallographic symmetry. The compound shows a very broad absorption band, starting from 500 nm towards the UV region, and traces of luminescence with a maximum at 545 nm. The performed density functional theory (DFT) calculations have shown that the absorption band results from mixed f–d and charge transfer transitions, and the empty antibonding π* orbitals of the ester groups quench the luminescence.