Synthesis and characterization of samarium, europium and ytterbium aryloxides: Crystal structure of [Yb 6(OH) 4(OC 6H 4OMe) 14]·4THF

The reactions of samarium, europium and ytterbium metals with the potential bidentate ligand 2-methoxyphenol were investigated. The europium and ytterbium aryloxides were synthesized by dissolution of the metals in liquid ammonia, whereas the samarium aryloxide was synthesized by metal vapour synthesis (MVS). The compounds obtained were formulated as Ln(OC 6H 4OMe) 3, Ln=Sm, Yb and Eu(OC 6H 4OMe) 2. Recrystallization of Yb(OC 6H 4OMe) 3 in the presence of THF/pentane resulted in the crystallographically characterized complex [Yb 6(μ 3-OH) 4(μ-OC 6H 4-η-OMe) 10(OC 6H 4-η-OMe) 2(OC 6H 4OMe) 2]·4THF.