THE VOLATILE RARE-EARTH ELEMENT TETRAKIS-ACETYLACETONATES

The rare earth element (REE) tetrakis-acetylacetonates MLn(acac)(4) (M =Li, Na, Cs; Ln=Nd, Gd, Er) have been prepared by interaction between REE and alkaline element (AE) acetylacetonate hydrates in alcohol-benz ene solution with subsequent solvent evaporation and recrystallization from benzene. The formation of anhydrous tetrakis complexes has been proved by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and t hermal analysis. Saturation of the REE ion coordination sphere in thes e compounds is achieved by the fourth acetylacetonate chelate cycle. T he complexes MLn(acac)(4) are characterized by high thermal stability; when heated in vacuum (about 0.01 Torr), REE and AE acetylacetonate s ublimation takes place.