DFT, IR, Raman and NMR study of the coordination ability of coumarin-3-carboxylic acid to Pr(III)

A new complex of coumarin-3-carboxylic acid (HCCA) with Pr(III) is synthesized and its structure and molecular properties are investigated by elemental analysis, IR, Raman, NMR measurements and quantum chemical calculations. The elemental analysis suggested the general formula Pr(CCA)2(NO3)(H2O). The HCCA ligand possesses two donor groups (deprotonated carboxylic and carbonylic) and can act as a bidentate ligand in two different binding modes. According to the complex general formula, two model Pr(III) structures accounting for the two binding modes of the ligand are modeled in gas phase and in solvent environment (DMSO). Geometrical parameters, vibrational frequencies, IR intensities and Raman activities as well as 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts of HCCA and the two model Pr(III) structures are calculated with DFT method at B3LYP/SVP and B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) levels. The comparative vibrational and NMR analyses, based on both experimental and theoretical data of the ligand and the two model Pr(III) structures predict a bidentate binding of the HCCA ligands to Pr(III) through the deprotonated carboxylic oxygen and the carbonylic oxygen. Vibrational, 1H and 13C NMR data able to distinguish the bidentate ligand binding modes are established.