Preparation and Characterization of Yttrium-iron Citric Acid Complexes

Abstract

Yttrium-iron(III) citric acid complexes with mole ratio Y : Fe = 1 or 3 : 5, potential precursors for YFeO 3 and Y 3 Fe 5 O 1 2 thin films preparation, have been synthesized in ethylene glycol medium. The compositions, IR, 1 H and 1 3 C NMR spectral characteristics of the isolated solid complexes have been studied. Their chemical nature and the peculiarities of the complexation process in the system Y I I I -Fe I I I -citric acid-ethylene glycol 1 : 1 : 8.5 : 35 have been studied and compared with those of the earlier studied lanthanide(III or IV)-titanium(IV) citric acid complexes, prepared under the same conditions. The mixed-metal nature of the obtained complexes has been shown. In contrast to the analogous lanthanide-titanium system, no deprotonation of the alcoholic OH groups of citric ligands takes place in the course of the formation of Y-Fe complexes.