Synthesis and crystal structure of bis(tetrahydrofurfurylindenyl) lanthanide chlorides

Lanthanocene chlorides (C4H7OCH2C9H6)(2)LnCl[Ln=Y(1); Ln=Gd(2)] were synthesized by the reaction of tetrahydrofurfurylindenyl lithium(in situ) with corresponding anhydrous lanthanide chorides in THF. The crystal structures of these two complexes were determined by X-ray diffraction and they were unsolvated monomeric complexes. They were stable in the air for several hours. Complexes 1 and 2 belong to the same crystal system (orthorhombic) and space group(P2(1)2(1)2(1)). The unit cell dimensions of complex 1 were a=1.042 52(9) nm, b=1.47455(12) nm, c=1.497 99(13) nm, Z=4, D-c=1.508 g/cm(3); The unit cell dimensions of complex 2 were a=1.037 01(10) nm, b=1.472 33(12) nm, c=1.513 54(14) nm, Z=4, D-c=1.699 g/cm(3). They have the same structure and different space configurations. The central metal atom is coordinated by two indenyl, two oxygen of the tetrahydrofurfuryl and one chlorine atom to form a distorted trigonal bipyramid.