Unexpected C=N bond cleavage in H3salmp: Synthesis and structures of [LnNa(salmp)(sal)]2·6EtOH (Ln = Sm, Er; H3salmp = 2-bis(salicylidieneamino) methylphenol; sal = salicylaldehydato)

The reaction of LnCl3 with Na3salmp/H3salmp (H3salmp = 2-bis(salicylidieneamino)methyl-phenol) affords [LnNa(salmp)(sal)]2 (Ln = Sm(I), Er(II); sal = salicylaldehydato) complexes being different from the known Ln-salmp complex of [Sm(salmp)(THF)]2. In the reaction, the cleavage of C=N bonds happens in H3salmp, and the regenerated salicylaldehydato anion arises and takes part in the coordination. Both complexes are characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography.