Is there a continuum from organosamarium hydroxo to oxo compounds? Crystal structures of [{(Me 3Si) 2C 5H 3} 2Sm] 2(μ-O)(μ-OH 2) and three distinct crystalline forms of [{(Me 3Si) 2C 5H 3} 2Sm(μ-OH)] 2

Abstract

Partial hydrolysis of cationic organolanthanide compounds [Cp′′ 2Sm][B(C 6H 5) 4] and [Cp′′ 2Sm][CB 11H 6Br 6] (Cp′′=(Me 3Si) 2C 5H 3) in toluene at −30°C gave [Cp′′ 2Sm] 2(μ-O)(μ-OH 2) and two distinct crystalline forms of [Cp′′ 2Sm(μ-OH)] 2, respectively. The two crystalline forms are not crystallographically convertible, and they are clearly distinguishable from one another. These new observations together with the reported crystalline form of [Cp′′ 2Sm(μ-OH)] 2 imply that there may be a continuous process from organosamarium hydroxo to oxo compounds.