SOLVENT CONTROL OF STRUCTURAL TYPE - 3 DIFFERENT STRUCTURES FROM THE REACTION OF A DIMERIC COPPER COMPLEX WITH LANTHANUM NITRATE IN 3 DIFFERENT SOLVENTS

The reaction of a dimeric copper complex, [Cu2L4] 1 (L = C5H3ClNO-, the anion of 6-chloro-2-hydroxypyridine), with hydrated lanthanum nitrate has been studied. The crystalline products are determined by the solvent used. If the reaction is carried out in a mixture of methanol-dichloromethane a compound of stoichiometry [Cu3LaL5(NO3)3(OMe)(MeOH)2].1.5MeOH.0.5Et2O 2 is isolated. If the reaction is carried out in ethanol-dichloromethane a compound of stoichiometry [Cu3LaL8(NO3)(EtOH)].0.5Et2O 3 is found. If acetonitrile-dichloromethane is used the complex [Cu2La2L8(HL)2(NO3)2]-2HL.2MeCN 4 can be crystallised. All of these compounds have been characterised by X-ray crystallography and the unusual structures are described.