Characterization of the 2,2′-bipyridine chelates of lanthanum(III) in acetonitrile. A 1H, 13C, 17O, and 139La NMR study

Abstract

We have investigated the reaction between La(NO3)3•6H2O and 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) in acetonitrile by means of 139La, 17O, 13C, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The 139La spectra show up to three different sites with variable intensities attributed to solvated La(III) ions and to two complex species with one or two bipy moieties in the La(III) coordination sphere. 17O NMR indicates that during the complexation reaction, the coordinated water is totally displaced from the coordination sphere whereas the nitrate groups remain coordinated. Proton NMR data confirm the water expulsion. In addition, the proton chemical shifts of bipy, in comparison with the 13C NMR data, clearly show an anisotropic shielding when two bipy are coordinated to La(III). Therefore, the two bipy molecules are in close proximity in the coordination sphere. From the NMR results it has been shown that, during the complexation process, five different La(III) species are formed: [La(NO3)3(CH3CN)4], [La(NO3)3(CH3CN)3(H2O)], [La(NO3)3(bipy)(CH3CN)2], [La(NO3)3(bipy)(CH3CN)-(H2O)], and [La(NO3)3(bipy)2]. Each La(III) complex has a coordination member of 10, with NO3− and bipy acting as chelating ligands. Furthermore, the structure of the La(NO3)3(bipy)2 complex in solution shows similarities with the solid state compound. Finally, comparisons are made with the La(III) complexes previously obtained with 1,10-phenanthroline.