The crystal structure of the title compound, [SmCl2-{C2H4N2(CH2C5H4N)(
4)}]ClO4, at room temperature was solved and compared with the previou
sly determined structure of [(EuCl2)-Cl-III(R-tppn)]ClO4 [where R-tppn
is -tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-(R)-propyl-enediamine]. The Sm3+ ion is
eight-coordinated through. the six N atoms of the N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(
2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine ligand and two Cl- ions. The coordinat
ion is best described as dodecahedral with some important distortions.