Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of three new lanthanide (III) complexes with the [(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl]bis (2-pyridylmethyl)amine (MeTPA) ligand; New precursors for lanthanide (III) oxide nano-particles

Several novel lanthanum (III) complexes of the {[}(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl]bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (MeTPA) ligand with the formula {[}Ln(MeTPA)Cl-3(MeOH)]center dot MeOH (Ln: La (1), Nd (2) and Sm (3)) were successfully synthesized. The complexes were characterized by H-1 NMR, mass spectrometry, TGA-DTA as well as elemental analysis. The molecular structures of the three complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The single-crystal X-ray data revealed that 1, 2 and 3 are isostructural. The prepared complexes have been used as new precursors for the preparation of the related nano-oxides. The crystallinity and morphology of the Ln(III)-oxide nano-particles were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.