Molecular structure of tris(dipivaloylmethanato)-erbium(III) as studied by gas electron diffraction

Abstract

The molecular structure of tris(dipivaloylmethanato)erbium has been determined by gas-phase electron diffraction. The experimental data are consistent with a monomeric trigonal prismatic structure. The structural parameters are as follows: r a(ErO) = 2.218 ± 0.005, r a(CO) = 1.274 ± 0.004, r a(CC ring) = 1.405 ± 0.006, r a(CC text) = 1.513 ± 0.014, r a(CC meth) = 1.550 ± 0.006 Å, and ∠OErO = 75.0 ± 0.5°. The folding of the ligand about the OO axis is 22.2 ± 1.5°, and the t-butyl groups rotate freely.