Synthesis, properties and catalytic activity of rare earth complexes with noncyclic polyether - Phenylalanine Schiff base

A new Schiff base derived from tetraglycol aldehyde and phenylalanine and i ts rare earth complexes [Ln(3)L(2)(NO3)(2)](NO3)(3). nH(2)O(Ln = La,Nd,Sm, n = 3;Ln = Gd,Dy,Er,Y, n = 5) have been synthesized and characterized by el emental analyses, magnetic susceptibility, IR and H-1 NMR spectroscopy. The solubility of the obtained complexes in organic solvents has been explored and improved apparently. The crystal field strength and its parameters of the Gd(III) complex were investigated by EPR spectroscopy. In addition, the se complexes display some catalytic activities in the polymerization of met hyl methacrylate (MMA) in the absence of any cocatalyst.