Lanthanide-Containing Monomers Produced from Unsaturated Acids: Synthesis, Polymerization, and Spectral and Luminescent Properties. Crystal Structure of Europium(III) Methacrylate

Abstract

Synthesis of lanthanide-containing (Ln = Eu, Tb, Nd, Gd) monomers based on unsaturated acids is described, namely, of LnL1 3 · nH2O (L1 are anions of acrylic and methacrylic acids) and Ln2L2 3 · nH2O (L2 are anions of maleic and fumaric acids); n = 0–3, 6. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetry, and IR and luminescence spectroscopy. Europium methacrylate Eu(Macr)3 was studied using X-ray diffraction analysis: rhombic system, a = 14.831(3) A, b = 12.964(2) A, c = 7.761(1) A, space group Cmc21, V = 1483.5(4) A3, ρ(calcd) = 1.823 g/cm3. Infinite chains of Eu(Macr)3 molecules are directed along crystallographic axis c and are bound by van der Waals interactions. Radical polymerization of Eu(III) and Tb(III) acrylates and Eu(III) methacrylate yields lanthanide-containing polymers with a high content of Ln (40–50 mass %). Their spectral and luminescent properties are studied.