Facile Oxidation of Ce(III) to Ce(IV) Using Cu(I) Salts

The synthesis, luminescence, and electrochemical properties of the Ce(III) compound, (C5Me5)2(2,6-iPr2C6H3O)Ce(THF), 1, were investigated. Based on the electrochemical data, treatment of 1 with CuX (X = Cl, Br, I) results in the formation of the corresponding Ce(IV) complexes, (C5Me5)2(2,6-iPr2C6H3O)Ce(X). Each complex has been characterized using NMR, IR, and UV–vis spectroscopy as well as structurally determined using X-ray crystallography. Additionally, the treatment of (C5Me5)2(2,6-iPr2C6H3O)Ce(Br) with AgF results in the formation of the putative (C5Me5)2(2,6-iPr2C6H3O)Ce(F). The electronic structure of these Ce(IV)–X complexes was investigated by bond analyses and the Ce(IV)–F moiety using quantum chemistry NMR calculations.