Synthesis, characterization, thermal and spectroscopic studies of solid glycolate of light trivalent lanthanides, except promethium

•The glycolate of light trivalent lanthanides, except promethium were synthesized.•The TG–DSC curves provided previously unreported information about thermal behavior.•The gaseous products released were detected by TG–DSC coupled FTIR. Solid-state Ln–L compounds, where Ln stands for light trivalent lanthanide (La to Gd, except Pm) and L is glycolate (C2H3O3) have been synthesized. Characterization and investigation were made by means of complexometry, X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG–DSC), and TG–DSC coupled to FTIR. All the compounds were obtained in the anhydrous state. The thermal decomposition of the anhydrous compounds occurs in a single, three, four or five steps and the final residue was CeO2, Pr6O11 and Ln2O3 (Ln=La, Nd to Gd). The results also provide information concerning thermal behavior and identifications of the gaseous products evolved during the thermal decomposition of these compounds. Furthermore, the theoretical and experimental spectroscopic data suggest the possible modes of coordination of the ligand with the metals.