Synthesis of LnII‐in‐Cryptand Complexes by Chemical Reduction of LnIII‐in‐Cryptand Precursors: Isolation of a NdII‐in‐Cryptand Complex

Abstract

AbstractLanthanide triflates have been used to incorporate NdIII and SmIII ions into the 2.2.2‐cryptand ligand (crypt) to explore their reductive chemistry. The Ln(OTf)3 complexes (Ln=Nd, Sm; OTf=SO3CF3) react with crypt in THF to form the THF‐soluble complexes [LnIII(crypt)(OTf)2][OTf] with two triflates bound to the metal encapsulated in the crypt. Reduction of these LnIII‐in‐crypt complexes using KC8 in THF forms the neutral LnII‐in‐crypt triflate complexes [LnII(crypt)(OTf)2]. DFT calculations on [NdII(crypt)]2+], the first NdII cryptand complex, assign a 4f4 electron configuration to this ion.