2D l‐Di‐toluoyl‐tartaric acid Lanthanide Coordination Polymers: Toward Single‐component White‐Light and NIR Luminescent Materials

A series of five l ‐di‐p‐toluoyl‐tartaric acid (l ‐DTTA) lanthanide coordination polymers, namely {[Ln₄K⁴ L₆(H₂O)_x]?yH₂O}_n, [Ln=Dy ( 1 ), x=24, y=12; Ln=Ho ( 2 ), x=23, y=12; Ln=Er ( 3 ), x=24, y=12; Ln=Yb ( 4 ), x=24, y=11; Ln=Lu ( 5 ), x=24, y=12] have been isolated by simple reactions of H₂L (H₂L= L ‐DTTA) with LnCl₃?6 H₂O at ambient temperature. X‐ray crystallographic analysis reveals that complexes 1 – 5 feature two‐dimensional (2D) network structures in which the Ln³⁺ ions are bridged by carboxylate groups of ligands in two unique coordinated modes. Luminescent spectra demonstrate that complex 1 realizes single‐component white‐light emission, while complexes 2 – 4 exhibit a characteristic near‐infrared (NIR) luminescence in the solid state at room temperature.     

CuII?GdIII Cryogenic Magnetic Refrigerants and Cu8Dy9 Single‐Molecule Magnet Generated by In Situ Reactions of Picolinaldehyde and Acetylpyridine: Experimental and Theoretical Study

A series of heterometallic [Ln^III_xCu^II_y] complexes, [Gd₂Cu₂]_n ( 1 ), [Gd₄Cu₈] ( 2 ), [Ln₉Cu₈] (Ln=Gd, 3?Gd ; Ln=Dy, 3?Dy ), were successfully synthesized by a one‐pot route at room temperature with three kinds of in situ carbonyl‐related reactions: Cannizzaro reaction, aldol reaction, and oxidation. This strategy led to dysprosium analogues that behaved as single‐molecule magnets (SMMs) and gadolinium analogues that showed significant magnetocaloric effect (MCE). In this study a numerical DFT approach is proposed by using pseudopotentials to calculate the exchange coupling constants in three polynuclear [Gd_xCu_y] complexes; with these values exact diagonalization or quantum Monte Carlo simulations have been performed to calculate the variation of the magnetic entropy involved in the MCE. For the [Dy₉Cu₈] complexes, local magnetic properties of the Dy^III centers have been determined by using the CASSCF+RASSI method.     

Interaction features of cerium (III) and europium (III) acetate and pivalate with monoethanolamine

The composition of mixed-ligand complexes of cerium (III) and europium (III) acetates and pivalates with monoethanolamine (MEA) depends on the synthesis conditions and the nature of carboxylate ligand. We prepared solid complexes [Ln(Piv)₃(MEA) _x ], where Ln = Ce, Eu; HPiv-2,2-dimethylpropionic (pivalic) acid; x = 1, 1.5, and gel-like hydroxocomplexes [Ln(Carb) _{n − x − y} ,(NO₃) _x (OH) _y (MEA) _w (H₂O) _z ], where Ln = Ce, n = 4; Ln = Eu, n = 3; HCarb is acetic acid (HAcet) or HPiv. The values of the coefficients x, y, w, and z depend on the synthesis conditions and heat treatment. Prepared compounds were characterized by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopies, elemental and thermal analyses, and MALDI-MS. The ESI-MS method was used to characterize the processes occurring in the solutions.     

Group 3 Metal Initiators with an [OSSO]‐Type Bis(phenolate) Ligand for the Stereoselective Polymerization of Lactide Monomers

A series of 1,ω‐dithiaalkanediyl‐bridged bis(phenols) of the general type [OSSO]H₂ with variable steric properties and various bridges were prepared. The stoichiometric reaction of the bis(phenols) 1,3‐dithiapropanediyl‐2,2′‐bis(4,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenol), 1,3‐dithiapropanediyl‐2,2′‐bis[4,6‐di(2‐phenyl‐2‐propyl)phenol], rac‐2,3‐trans‐propanediyl‐1,4‐dithiabutanediyl‐2,2′‐bis[4,6‐di(2‐phenyl‐2‐propyl)phenol], rac‐2,3‐trans‐butanediyl‐1,4‐dithiabutane diyl‐2,2′‐bis[4,6‐di(2‐phenyl‐2‐propyl)phenol], rac‐2,3‐trans‐hexanediyl‐1,4‐dithiabutanediyl‐2,2′‐bis[4,6‐di(2‐phenyl‐2‐propyl)phenol], 1,3‐dithiapropanediyl‐2,2′‐bis[6‐(1‐methylcyclohexyl)‐4‐methylphenol] (C₁, R=1‐methylcyclohexyl), and 1,4‐dithiabutanediyl‐2,2′‐bis[6‐(1‐methylcyclohexyl)‐4‐methylphenol] with rare‐earth metal silylamido precursors [Ln{N(SiHMe₂)₂}₃(thf)_x] (Ln=Sc, x=1 or Ln=Y, x=2; thf=tetrahydrofuran) afforded the corresponding scandium and yttrium bis(phenolate) silylamido complexes [Ln(OSSO){N(SiHMe₂)₂}(thf)] in moderate to good yields. The monomeric nature of these complexes was shown by an X‐ray diffraction study of one of the yttrium complexes. The complexes efficiently initiated the ring‐opening polymerization of rac‐ and meso‐lactide to give heterotactic‐biased poly(rac‐lactides) and highly syndiotactic poly(meso‐lactides). Variation of the ligand backbone and the steric properties of the ortho substituents affected the level of tacticity in the polylactides.     

Luminescence Spectral Properties of Europium(III) and Terbium(III) Complexes with Cinnamic Acid

Europium and terbium mixed-ligand complexes with cinnamic acid of composition Ln(Cin)₃· nD · xH₂O, where Ln = Eu³⁺or Tb³⁺, Cin is a cinnamate ion (C₆H₅CH=CHCOO^–), D = 1,10-phenantroline, 2,2"-dipyridyl, benzotriazole (n= 2, x= 0), triphenylphosphine oxide (n= 1, x= 2), or H₂O (n= 0 or 1, x= 0), were synthesized. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and luminescence spectroscopy. The Stark structure of the ⁵ D ₀–⁷ F _j(j= 0, 1, 2) electronic transitions in the low-temperature luminescence spectra of europium complexes was analyzed. IR study has revealed a bidentate coordination of the cinnamate ion in the compounds.     

Reversible coordinative chain transfer polymerization of styrene by rare earth borohydrides,chlorides/dialkylmagnesium systems

The ability of various rare earth borohydride and chloride complexes/n‐butylethylmagnesium systems to operate styrene chain transfer polymerization in mild conditions has been assessed. Thirteen precatalysts have been considered: the rare earth trisborohydrides Ln(BH₄)₃(THF)_x (x = 3, Ln = Nd (1), La (2), Sm (3), x = 2, Ln = Y (4), Sc (5)), the rare earth chlorides LnCl₃(THF)_x (x = 3, Ln = Nd (6), La (7), Sm (8), Y (9), x = 2, Ln = Sc (10)), the mixed La(BH₄)₂Cl(THF)_2.6 (11) and the half‐lanthanidocenes Cp*Ln(BH₄)₂(THF)₂ (Ln = Nd (12), La (13)). Six systems were found to be active precatalysts for the polymerization of styrene. 1 , 2 , and 11 led to an efficient transmetalation of the growing polystyrene chain with the simultaneous occurrence of βH elimination, whereas 7 , 12 , and 13 led to catalyzed chain growth behavior. It is noteworthy that the catalyzed chain growth obtained with 12 and 13 occurs with significant stereoselectivity. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 802–814, 2010     

Thermally Stable Porous Hydrogen‐Bonded Coordination Networks Displaying Dual Properties of Robustness and Dynamics upon Guest Uptake

Two series of microporous lanthanide coordination networks of the general formula, {[Ln(ntb)Cl₃] ? x H₂O}_n (series 1 : monoclinic C2/c, Ln=Sm and Tb; series 2 : hexagonal P3₁/c, Ln=Sm and Eu; ntb=tris(benzimidazol‐2‐ylmethyl)amine, x=0–4) have been synthesized and characterized by IR, elemental analyses, thermal gravimetry, and single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction methods. In both series, the monomeric [Ln(ntb)Cl₃] coordination units are consolidated by N? H???Cl or C? H???Cl hydrogen bonds to sustain three‐dimensional (3D) networks. However, the different modes of hydrogen bonding in the two series lead to crystallization of the same [Ln(ntb)Cl₃] monomers in different forms (monoclinic vs. hexagonal), consequently giving rise to distinct porous structures. The resulting hydrogen‐bonded coordination networks display high thermal stability and robustness in water removal/inclusion processes, which was confirmed by temperature‐dependent single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformation measurements. Adsorption studies with H₂, CO₂, and MeOH have been carried out, and reveal distinct differences in adsorption behavior between the two forms. In the case of MeOH uptake, the monoclinic network shows a normal type I isotherm, whereas the hexagonal network displays dynamic porous properties.     

Cyano-bridged Ln^3＋-Cr^3＋ Binuclear Complexes [Ln（L）x（H2O）y^- Cr（CN）6]·mL·nH2O （Ln=La-Nd,x=5, y=2, m=1 or 2, n=2 or 2.5; Ln-Sm-Dy,Er, x=4, y=3, m=0, n=1.5 or 2.0; L= 2-pyrrolidinone）： Structure,Magnetism and Spin Density Map

In order to shed light upon the nature and mechanism of 4f-3d magnetic exchange interactions, a series of binuclear complexes of lanthanide（3＋） and chromium（3＋） with the general formula [Ln（L）5（H2O）2Cr（CN）6]·mL· nH2O （Ln=La （1）, Ce （2）, Pr （3）, Nd （4）; x=5, y=2, m=1 or 2, n=2 or 2.5; L=2-pyrrolidinone） and [Ln（L）4（H2O）3Cr（CN）6] ·nH2O （Ln=Sm （5）, Eu （6）, Gd （7）, Tb （8）, Dy （9）, Er （10）; x=4, y=3, m=0, n= 1.5 or 2.0; L=2-pyrrolidinone） were prepared and the X-ray crystal structures of complexes 2, 6 and 7 were determined. All the compounds consist of a Ln-CN-Cr unit, in which Ln^3＋ in a square antiprism environment is bridged to an octahedral coordinated Cr^3＋ ion through a cyano group. The magnetic properties of the complexes 3 and 6-10 show an overall antiferromagnetic behavior. The fitting to the experimental magnetic susceptibilities of 7 give g= 1.98, J=0.40 cm^-1, zJ＇= -0.21 cm^-1 on the basis of a binuclear spin system （Scd=7/2, Scr=3/2）, revealing an intra-molecular Gd^3＋-Cr^3＋ ferromagnetic interaction and an inter-molecular antiferromagnetic interaction. For 7 the calculation of quantum chemical density functional theory （DFT）, combined with the broken symmetry approach, showed that the calculated spin coupling constant was 20.3 cm^-1, supporting the observation of weak ferromagnetic intra-molecular interaction in 7. The spin density distributions of 7 in both the high spin ground state and the broken symmetry state were obtained, and the spin coupling mechanism between Gd^3＋ and Cr^3＋ was discussed.     

Structures and magnetic properties of two series of Schiff base binuclear lanthanide complexes

Until now, although there are many examples of studying the magnetic properties of Schiff base binuclear lanthanide complexes, the relationship between the structure and magnetic properties of the complexes still is worth further investigation in order to improve the magnetic properties of Schiff base lanthanide complexes. In this work, we successfully obtained two series of binuclear Ln complexes by in situ reaction of 4-diethylaminosalicylaldehyde, benzoic hydrazide and different lanthanide salts at 80°C under solvothermal conditions, namely, [Ln₂(L)₃(NO₃)₃]·CH₃CN·CH₃OH·H₂O [Ln = Dy ( 1 ), Ho ( 2 ), Gd ( 3 ) L = deprotonated 4-diethylamino salicylaldehyde benzoylhydrazine], [Ln₂(L)₄(CH₃COO)]CH₃COO·CH₃CN [Ln = Dy ( 4 ), Ho ( 5 ), Gd ( 6 )]. The complex 1 contains three Schiff base ligands L, two Dy (III) ions, and three NO₃⁻. The ligand H₁L is formed by in situ Schiff base reaction with 4-diethylaminosalicylaldehyde and benzoic hydrazide with the participation of Ln (NO₃)₃. When replacing Ln (NO₃)₃ with Ln (OAc)₃, obtained three μ₂-OAc bridged binuclear Ln (III) complexes. The magnetic study showed that complex 4 exhibits field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior while complex 1 does not show any SMMs behavior. In addition, we have studied the magnetocaloric effect of complexes 3 and 6 , their maximum −ΔS_m values are 21.37 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ and 15.32 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively, under ΔH = 7 T and T = 2 K.     

Octacarbonyl Anion Complexes of the Late Lanthanides Ln(CO)8− (Ln=Tm,Yb, Lu) and the 32-Electron Rule

The lanthanide octacarbonyl anion complexes Ln(CO)₈⁻ (Ln=Tm, Yb, Lu) were produced in the gas phase and detected by mass-selected infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the carbonyl stretching-frequency region. By comparison of the experimental CO-stretching frequencies with calculated data, which are strongly red-shifted with respect to free CO, the Yb(CO)₈⁻ and Lu(CO)₈⁻ complexes were determined to possess octahedral (O_h) symmetry and a doublet X²A_2u (Yb) and singlet X¹A_1g (Lu) electronic ground state, whereas Tm(CO)₈⁻ exhibits a D_4h equilibrium geometry and a triplet X³B_1g ground state. The analysis of the electronic structures revealed that the metal-CO attractive forces come mainly from covalent orbital interactions, which are dominated by [Ln(d)]→(CO)₈ π backdonation and [Ln(d)]←(CO)₈ σ donation (contributes ≈77 and 16 % to covalent bonding, respectively). The metal f orbitals play a very minor role in the bonding. The electronic structure of all three lanthanide complexes obeys the 32-electron rule if only those electrons that occupy the valence orbitals of the metal are considered.     

Nanometrization of Lanthanide‐Based Coordination Polymers

Heteronuclear lanthanide‐based coordination polymers are microcrystalline powders, the luminescence properties of which can be precisely tuned by judicious choice of the rare‐earth ions. In this study, we demonstrate that such materials can also be obtained as stable solutions of nanoparticles in non‐toxic polyols. Bulk powders of the formula [Ln_2?2xLn′_2x(bdc)₃ ? 4 H₂O]_∞ (where H₂bdc denotes 1,4‐benzene‐dicarboxylic acid, 0≤x≤1, and Ln and Ln′ denote lanthanide ions of the series La to Tm plus Y) afford nanoparticles that have been characterized by dynamic light‐scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. Their luminescence properties are similar to those of the bulk materials. Stabilities versus time and versus dilution with another solvent have been studied. This study has revealed that it is possible to tune the size of the nanoparticles. This process offers a reliable means of synthesizing suspensions of nanoparticles with tunable luminescence properties and tunable size distributions in a green solvent (glycerol). The process is also extendable to other coordination polymers and other solvents (ethylene glycol, for example). It constitutes a new route for the facile solubilization of lanthanide‐based coordination polymers.     

1-D Ln–Ag (Ln = Eu; Tb) heterometallic coordination polymers with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate as the single ligand: Synthesis,crystal structures,and luminescence

Two new 4d–4f heterometallic coordination polymers [AgLn(pydc)₂(H₂O)₃] · x(H₂O) [Ln = Eu, x = 1.25 (1); Ln = Tb, x = 1.25 (2); pydc = 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate] have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Both structures display the same unusual 1-D heterometallic coordination polymer based on Ln building blocks and Ag ions. Thermal stabilities and luminescent properties of 1 and 2 are presented.     

Pentanuclear heterobimetallic 3d-4f complexes of Ln<Subscript>2</Subscript>M<Subscript>3</Subscript>-type — structure and magnetism

From a series of pentanuclear, heterobimetallic complexes of the general composition [{Ln(H₂O)_n}₂{Ni(dto)₂}₃] · xH₂O, four complexes (Ln = Gd(III) with n = 4; Ln = Dy(III), Ho(III), or Er(III), with n = 5; x = 9–12; dto = 1,2-dithiooxalate) were studied due to their large magnetic moments (up to 14.65 B.M.). The magnetic properties of these complete series were measured at room temperature and the temperature dependent magnetic properties of the complexes Gd₂Ni₃, Dy₂Ni₃, Ho₂Ni₃, and Er₂Ni₃ were studied at room temperature down to 1.8 K. Whereas the intramolecular metal-metal distances were rather long (Ni1-Ni2: 11.0–11.5 Å; Ln-Ni: 6.0–6.3 Å), relatively short intermolecular metal-metal distances (Ni1-Ni2′: 3.5 Å; Er-Er′: 6.0 Å) were found in the crystal lattice, giving rise to weak intermolecular metal-metal interactions. These weak spin interactions were also supported by the EPR spectrum of a powdered sample of the diamagnetically undiluted Gd₂Ni₃ complex.     

Synthesis of Lanthanide Bromide Complexes from Oxides. The Crystal Structures of [LnBr2(diglyme)2][LnBr4(diglyme)] (Ln = Sm,Eu) and [LnBr2(HMPA)4]Br·0.5H2O (Ln = La,Sm)

The reaction of the lanthanide oxides, bromotrimethylsilane and water in THF resulted in [LnBr₃(THF)_x]. If digylme (diglyme = diethylen glicol dimethyl ether) was added to these reaction mixtures in the mole ratio n(Ln): n(diglyme) ～ 1: 2.2 – 3, the ionic complexes [LnBr₂(diglyme)₂][LnBr₄(diglyme)] (Ln = La ( 1 ), Sm ( 2 ), Eu ( 3 )) were isolated. Crystal structures of the two new complexes, 2 and 3 , which were recrystallized from dichloromethane, were determined. The immediate reaction of the complexes 1 and 2 with HMPA (HMPA = hexamethylphosphoramide) in toluene resulted in [LnBr₂(HMPA)₄]Br·0.5H₂O (Ln = La( 4 ), Sm ( 5 )).     

Molecular Lanthanide Switches for Magnetism and Photoluminescence

Solvation of [(CNT)Ln(η⁸-COT)] (Ln=La, Ce, Nd, Tb, Er; CNT=cyclononatetraenyl, i.e., C₉H₉⁻; COT=cyclooctatetraendiid, i.e., C₈H₈²⁻) complexes with tetrahydrofuran (THF) gives rise to neutral [(η⁴-CNT)Ln(thf)₂(η⁸-COT)] (Ln=La, Ce) and ionic [Ln(thf)_x(η⁸-COT)][CNT] (x=4 (Ce, Nd, Tb), 3 (Er)) species in a solid-to-solid transformation. Due to the severe distortion of the ligand sphere upon solvation, these species act as switchable luminophores and single-molecule magnets. The desolvation of the coordinated solvents can be triggered by applying a dynamic vacuum, as well as a temperature gradient stimulus. Raman spectroscopic investigations revealed fast and fully reversible solvation and desolvation processes. Moreover, we also show that a Nd:YAG laser can induce the necessary temperature gradient for a self-sufficient switching process of the Ce(III) analogue in a spatially resolved manner.     

Interactions of trivalent lanthanide cations with a hexadentate Schiff base derived from the condensation of ethylenediamine with 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxaldehyde

Lanthanide(III) complexes [Ln(NO₃)₂(HL)] where Ln?=?La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb and Lu and LH₂?=?N,N′-bis(quinolin-8-ol-2-ylmethylidene)ethane-1,2-diamine, have been obtained by direct reaction of the di-Schiff base ligand and the corresponding hydrated lanthanide(III) nitrates in methanol/DMF solvent systems. All complexes were characterized with microanalyses, spectroscopically (IR and electronic spectra) and thermogravimetrically. Theoretical studies have also been undertaken to estimate possible structures. All the data are discussed in terms of the nature of the bonding and the possible structural types. All complexes appear to be monomeric with the organic ligand being singly deprotonated and behaving as a hexadentate chelating ligand.     

Insights into crystal structures,supramolecular architectures and antioxidant activities of self-assembled fluorescent hetero-multinuclear [Cu (II)-Ln (III)] (Ln = La,Ce, Pr and Nd) salamo-like complexes

Newly designed hetero-dinuclear 3d–4f complex [Cu(L)La (NO₃)₂(μ-NO₃)(H₂O)]·EtOH ( 1 ), hetero-tetranuclear 3d–4f complex [Cu(L)Ce (NO₃)₂(μ-NO₃)(OAc)₂]₂·MeOH ( 2 ) and hetero-multinuclear 3d–4f complexes [{Cu(L)Ln (NO₃)₃}₂][Cu(L)Ln (NO₃)₃]₂ (Ln = Pr ( 3 ) and Nd = ( 4 )) have been self-assembled from the reaction of Cu (OAc)₂·H₂O, Ln (NO₃)₃·6H₂O (Ln = La, Ce, Pr and Nd) with an unsymmetric salamo-like bisoxime ligand H₂L (6-Methoxy-6′-ethoxy-2,2′-[ethylenedioxybis (nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol) based on a Schiff base condensation of 2-[O-(1-ethoxyamide)]oxime-6-methoxyphenol and 3-ethoxysalicylaldehyde. The structures of complexes 1 – 4 were characterized by elemental analyses, PXRD analyses, IR, UV–Vis spectra, and single-crystal X-ray analyses. In addition, the supramolecular interactions and fluorescence properties of complexes 1 – 4 are discussed in detail. Moreover, the antioxidant activities of the complexes 1 – 4 were determined by superoxide radical-scavenging method in vitro, which indicates that the complexes 1 – 4 all show potential antioxidant properties.     

Lanthanum(III) and prasedymium(III) complexes with piperazine dithiosemicarbazones

Lanthanum(III) and praseodymium(III) complexes of the type [Ln(L)Cl(H₂O)]₂ (Ln = La(III) or Pr(III); LH₂ = dithiosemicarbazone ligands derived from piperazine dithiosemicarbazide and benzaldehyde, 4-nitrobenzaldehyde, and 2-methoxybenzaldehyde) have been synthesized in methanol in the presence of sodium hydroxide. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight, molar conductance, electronic absorption, IR, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral studies. Nephelauxetic ratio, covalency parameter, and bonding parameter for these complexes have also been calculated. Thermal studies of the complexes have been carried out using TG, DTG, and DSC techniques. Kinetic parameters, such as apparent activation energy and order of reaction, were determined by the Coats-Redfern graphical method. The heats of reaction for different reaction steps were calculated from DSC curves. The article was submitted by the authors in English.     

[Cp2Ln(m-h1:h2-OC(SR)=CPh2 )]2 的合成和表征

[Cp2Ln（μ-SR）]2 was reacted with Ph2C=C=O to yield ketene mono-insertion products [Cp2Ln（μ-η1：η2-OC（SR）=CPh2）]2 [R=Bn, Ln=Yb （1）, Er （2）, Y （3） and R--Ph, Ln=Yb （4）], indicating that the reactions of organolanthanide thiolates with ketenes are independent of the nature of the thiolate ligand and the ketene as well as the reaction condition. These reactions could provide an efficient method for the synthesis of organolanthanide complexes with the a-thiolate-substituted enolate ligand. All these complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic properties and the structure of complex 1 was determined through X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis.     

Density functional study on zerovalent lanthanide bis(arene)-sandwich complexes

Several zerovalent lanthanide bis(arene)-sandwich complexes, Ln(η⁶-C₆H₆)₂, Ln = La, Ce, Eu, Gd and Lu, have been studied by means of density functional theory. The calculated geometries are in good agreement with experiment. The calculated dissociation energies of the bond Ln-(η⁶-C₆H₆) may be considerably underestimated, but they correctly reveal the variation regularity. The bonding in these molecules can be described in terms of a relatively weak π-electron donation from benzene to Ln and a stronger electron back-donation from Ln 5d to the benzene π* orbitals. During bond formation, there is electron promotion from Ln 6s to 5d instead of from 4f to 5d, in opposition to the proposal of Anderson et al. The relativistic effect only slightly influences the molecular geometry, but decreases the bonding energy considerably through lowering the Ln 6s level and raising the 5d level. It enhances the trend of the bonding energy to decrease along the lanthanide series. Received: 22 June 1998 / Accepted: 9 September 1998 / Published online: 17 December 1998