Understanding the role f-electrons play in coordination and bonding has been a central focus of research in the lanthanides and actinides for decades, with particular relevance to applications in lanthanide-actinide separations. An interesting ligand for studying lanthanide and actinide bonding is 2,2’:6,2’-terpyridine (terpy) because the nitrogens in terpy could potentially act as a soft electron donor, with differences in bonding between the ligand and a central actinide (An) as compared to a central lanthanide (Ln). Additionally, changes in the metal ionic radius can affect how the ligand coordinates with the central atom. Soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements have been performed on Ln-terpy complexes (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) at the nitrogen K-edge and lanthanide M<sub>4,5</sub>-edges. These experiments were performed at the Advanced Light Source (ALS) Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopes (STXMs) at Beamlines 11.0.2 and Beamlines 5.3.2. Preliminary results indicate a clear difference in electronic structure between the lighter and heavier lanthanides. Interpretation of these results, including preliminary density functional theory (DFT) calculations are discussed, along with ongoing efforts to extend this system to An-terpy compounds.<br/>

Lanthanide electronic structure explored through soft x-ray spectromicroscopy of Ln-2,2’:6,2’-terpyridine coordination compounds

ACS Fall 2020 Virtual Meeting

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