A novel rare earth coordination catalyst for polymerization of biodegradable aliphatic lactones and lactides

A novel rare earth coordination system composed of lanthanide trifluoroacetates Ln(CF3COO)(3) (Ln = Y, Yb, Nd, Tm, Ho, La, Pr) and triisobutylaluminium Al(i-Bu)(3) was used as catalyst for the polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone (CL), D,L-lactide (DLLA) and their copolymerization. The influence of temperature, time and catalyst concentration on polymerization yields and molecular weights of the polyesters have been studied. It was shown that the ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters catalysed by Ln(CF3COO)(3)/Al(i-Bu)(3) has some living character and the molecular weight of the polyester could be controlled by adjusting the molar ratio of monomer to catalyst. The DLLA/CL copolymer was synthesized by sequential addition of monomers and the structure of the copolyester was characterized by GPC, NMR and DSC. (C) 1998 SCI.

Synthesis, luminescence and intramolecular energy transfer of binary and ternary rare earth complexes with aromatic carboxylic acids and 1,10-phenanthroline

A series of binary and ternary rare earth complexes with para-substitued benzoic acids and 1,10-phenanthroline were synthesized. The phosphorescence spectra were measured and the lowest tripler state energies of ligands were determined, the phosphorescence lifetimes were obtained and intramolecular energy transfer mechanism between ligands was studied. The luminescence properties were also measured and were in agreement with the prediction. The energy match and intramolecular energy transfer process in these binary and ternary complexes were discussed in detail.

Studies on extracting solutions of endohedral rare-earth metallofullerenes by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Thirteen extracting solutions of rare-earth metallofullerenes containing La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb respectively have been investigated by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-night, mass spectrometry. The influences of the positive-ion/negative-ion mode, laser intensity, matrix and mass discrimination to the analytical results are studied, based on which the optimal analytical conditions have been determined. The results show that the extracting solutions contain large quantities of rare-earth metallofullerenes brs;des empty fullerenes, On the basis of comparing their relative intensities, the different structure stabilities and solubilities of metallofullerenes with different rare-earth metals encapsulated into the fullerene cages, as well as some possible reasons to those differences, are discussed.

Irradiation damage on BaLiF3 crystallites and its suppression by rare-earth ion doping

The x-ray and gamma-ray induced damage in BaLiF3 crystallites and its suppression by rare earth ion doping have been studied by electron spin resonance and thermally stimulated luminescence methods. It has been found that the x-ray irradiation damage is light and can be erased easily. This shows that the BaLiF3 crystallite is an ideal host for x-ray storage material. But the damage induced by gamma-ray has been found to be relatively hard to recover; however the gamma-ray irradiation hardness can be improved by rare earth (e.g., La3+, Yb3+) ion doping. So the BaLiF3 is also promising material for being used in detection of high-energy particles (e.g., gamma-ray).

Luminescence properties of the ternary rare earth complexes with beta-diketones and 1,10-phenanthroline incorporated in silica matrix by a sol-gel method

Ternary complexes of rare earth Eu(dbm)(3).phen and Tb(acac)(3).phen (dbm = dibenzoylmethanide, acac = acetylacetone and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) were introduced into silica gel by the sol-gel method. The result indicated that the rare earth ions (EU3+ and Tb3+) showed fewer emission lines and slightly lower emission intensities in the silica gel than in the pure rare earth complexes. The lifetimes of rare earth ions in silica gel (Eu3+ and Tb3+) doped with Eu(dbm)(3).phen and Tb(acac)(3).phen were longer than those in purl Eu(dbm)(3).phen and Tb(acac)(3).phen. A very small amount of rare earth complexes doped in a silica gel matrix can retain excellent luminescence properties. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.

Synthesis, luminescence properties and energy transfer of binary and ternary rare earth complexes with aromatic acids and 1,10-phenanthroline

A series of binary and ternary rare earth (Gd, Eu, Tb) complexes with ortho hydroxyl benzoic acid, pam aminobenzoic acid, nicotinic acid and 1,10-phenanthroline were synthesized. Phosphorescence spectra and lifetimes of Gd complexes were measured and the lowest triplet state energies of gadolinium binary complexes end the intramolecular energy transfer efficiencies were determined. The luminescence properties and energy transfer process of Eu3+ and Tb3+ complexes were discussed.

Catalysis of the rare earth containing mixed oxides Ln(2)CuO(4) in phenol hydroxylation

Mixed oxides Ln(2)CuO(4+/-lambda)(Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd) with K2NiF4 structure were prepared. Their crystal structures were studied with XRD and IR spectra. Meanwhile, the average valence of Cu ions and nonstoichiometric oxygen (lambda) were determined through chemical analyses. Catalysis of the above-mentioned mixed oxides in the phenol hydroxylation was investigated. Results show that the catalysis of these mixed oxides has close relation with their structures and composition. Substitution of A site atom in Ln(2)CuO(4+/-lambda) has a great influence on their catalysis in the phenol hydroxylation.

Gas Phase Addition of Rare-earth Fullerenes with Benzene

Gas phase adduct of endohedral rare-earth fullerenes Nd@C-S2 with the ion system of benzene-[Nd@C-S2-C6H6](+) was observed for the first time by ion-molecular reaction under chemical ionization condition. The possible reaction passageway and molecular structures of this gas phase adduct were discussed and a parallel "reversed umbrella" pi-pi interaction complex of the [C6H6](+) ion reacting with the neutral rare-earth fullerenes Nd@C-S2 was considered to be much reasonable. The experimental result indicated that endohedral rare-earth fullerenes has relatively active reactivity and aromatic properties similar towards benzene molecular ion in gas phase.

The synthesis, luminescence and energy transfer of the binary and ternary complexes of rare earth with aminobenzoic acids and 1,10-phenanthroline

Thirteen kinds of binary and ternary complexes of rare earth (Gd, Eu,Tb) with ortho (para) aminobenzoic acid and 1.10--phenanthroline were synthesized and characterized. The phosphorescence spectra and lifetimes of gadolinium complexes were measured and the lowest triplet state energies of ligands and the energy transfer efficiencies between ligands were determined. The luminescence properties and intramolecular energy transfer of these complexes were studied in details.

Luminescence and energy transfer phenomena of several rare earth ions in the CaAl2B2O7

The luminescence properties of Ce3+, Gd3+, and Tb3+ have been investigated in the compound CaAl2B2O7. The single excitation band peaking at about 320 nm and single emission band peaking at about 384 nm for Ce3+, without the characteristic doublet, are attributed to the extensive crystal-field splitting of 4f ground state. The emission of Gd3+ consists of well-known sharp lines and two weak bands around 319.5 and 325 nm. These bands are due to the coupling of Gd3+ with BO33- groups. The green emission of Tb3+ is considerably sensitized by Ce3+. Energy transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3+ in CaAl2B2O7 is efficient. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.

High-yield extraction of endohedral rare-earth fullerenes

The technique of high-temperature high-pressure extraction with pyridine has been successfully utilized to extract a wide variety of endohedral rare-earth fullerenes of the type Ln@C-2n (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb). Ln@C-80, Ln@C-82, and Ln(2)@C-80 for most of the rare-earth metals can be produced with high-yield and selectively extracted from the carbon-are evaporation soot. Metallofullerenes containing Sm, Eu, and Yb (which could have +2 oxidation states) are especially difficult to extract. Some possible reasons for the high-yield extraction are discussed. The laser desorption mass spectrometric characterization results indicate a relationship between the extraction yields of metallofullerenes and the oxidation states and ionic radii of the rare-earths.

Study on the interaction of rare earth with 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine

The stability constants for rare earth complexes with 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine were determined at 37 degrees C end an ionic strength of 0.15 mole/L NaCl. The lanthanide induced shifts were measured for H-1 nuclei of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine. The coordination of rare earth with 3, 5, 3'-triiodothyronine was discussed.

Synthesis and thermo-decomposition mechanism of rare earth complexes with phenylacetic acid

Rare earth complexes with phenylacetic acid (LnL(3) . nH(2)O, Ln is Ce, Nd, Pr, Ho, Er, Yb and Y, L is phenylacetate, n = 1-2) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, chemical analysis, and X-ray crystal structure. The mechanism of thermal decomposition of the complexes was studied by means of TG-DTG, DTA and DSC. The activation energy and enthalpy change for the dehydration and melting processes were determined.

Luminescence of Pb2+ and energy transfer from Pb2+ to rare earth ions in silicate oxyapatites

The Pb2+ luminescence in a series of silicate oxyapatites Me(2)(Y, Gd)(8)(SiO4)(6)O-2, Me(4)Y(6)(SiO4)(6)O (Me = Mg: Ca, Sr) is reported and discussed in relation to the crystal structure. The maximum wavelengths of the excitation (S-1(0)-P-3(1)) and emission (P-3(1)-S-1(0)) bands of Pb2+ are independent of the Mc:Y ratio (2:8 or 4:6) but they have lower energies in MgY-oxyapatites than in CaY- and SrY-oxyapatites. The Stokes shift of Pb2+ luminescence amounts to 11 100 to 11 400 cm(-1): which does not depend strongly on the host composition. There exists a mutual energy transfer between Pb2+ and Gd3+ in Sr2Gd8(SiO4)(6)O-2. At last, the dependence of the energy transfer efficiency of Pb2+-Sm3+, Tb3+: Dy3+ in Sr-2(La: Gd)(8)(SiO4)(6)O-2 and Ca-2(Y, Gd)(8)(SiO4)(6)O-2 on their doping concentrations was studied in more detail.