Synthesis, structures and properties of series lanthanide nitrilotriacetates

A series of lanthanide nitrilotriacetates, [Ln(NTA)(H2O)] (where, Ln ¼ Pr (1), Sm (2), Eu (3), Gd (4)), have been prepared in aqueous solution through hydrothermal synthesis. Their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction, of which structure of 1 containing the nine-coordinated Pr atom is a 3D network and structures of 2, 3 and 4 containing the eight-coordinated lanthanides, as isomorphous, are novel double layers. A fluorescence emission spectra of compound 3 was observed. q 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved