Synthesis, spectroscopic and thermal studies of 2,3-naphthalenedicarboxylates of rare earth elements

Abstract

The complexes of rare earth elements with 2,3-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid of the formula: Ln2(C12H6O4)3·nH2O, where Ln = La(III)-Lu(III) and Y(III); n = 3 for La(III), Ce(III); n = 6 for Pr(III)-Yb(III) and Y(III) and n = 5 for Lu(III) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TG, DTG, DTA and TG-FTIR) and X-ray analysis. They are sparingly soluble in water and stable at room temperature. During heating in air atmosphere, they lose all water molecules in several steps, generally in two or three steps, except for the La(III) and Ce(III) complexes which lose all water molecules in one step. The anhydrous compounds are stable up to about 773 K and then decompose to corresponding oxides. The thermal decomposition is connected with the release of water molecules (443 K), carbon dioxide (713 K) and hydrocarbons.