Preparation and properties of rare earth 4-nitrophthalates

Rare earth (Y, La-Lu) 4-nitrophthalates were prepared and studied using IR spectroscopy, TG, DTG and DTA. Their compositions were determined as well as their solubilities in water at 295 K. The rare earth complexes were obtained as solids with a 2:3 ratio of metal to organic ligand. 4-Nitrophthalates of Y, La-Eu, Dy-Tm were crystalline solids, whereas those of Gd, Tb, Yb and Lu were amorphous. The COO- group in the prepared complexes acts as bidentate chelating. The complexes are stable at room temperature. During heating they are dehydrated in one CY, La, Pr-Yb), two (Ce, Lu) or three (La) steps, and then the anhydrous complexes decompose explosively.