Isomorphous Lanthanide Complexes of a Tripodal N 4 O 3 Ligand

The heptadentate ligand 2,2¢,2¢¢-tris(salicylideneimino)triethylamine (H3trensal) has been complexed with the lanthanides Sm III , Eu III , Tb III and Er III . The resulting [Ln(trensal)] complexes are isomorphous. We demonstrate that the method of preparation of these complexes is important in ensuring structural homogeneity across the Ln III series.