Functionalizable Schiff base complexes of lanthanum. Synthesis and crystal structures of [La 2 L 4 (thf) 2 (µ-Cl) 2 ] and [La(L′) 2 (HL′)Cl][HL =N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)salicylideneimine, HL′=N-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-salicylideneimine, and thf = tetrahydrofuran]

The reaction of [{LaCl3(thf)}n](thf = tetrahydrofuran) under anhydrous conditions with the sodium salt of a bi- or tri-dentate Schiff base derived from salicylaldehyde and 2,4,6-trimethylaniline [HL =N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)salicylideneimine] or N,N-dimethylethylenediamine [HL′=N-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)salicylideneimine] led to the isolation of the corresponding monochloro derivatives, [La2L4(thf)2(µ-Cl)2] and [La(L′)2(HL′)Cl]. Their structures have been elucidated by X-ray crystallography.