Self-assembly as a route to one-dimensional lanthanum(III) salicylaldimine coordination polymer

The self-assembled formation of a one-dimensional lanthanum salicylaldimine coordination polymer was proved by the X-ray diffraction analysis of new lanthanum(III) nitrate complex containing N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,5-pentanediamine ligand (H2L). It was obtained in situ in a one-step, metal-templated condensation of salicylaldehyde with 1,5-pentanediamine (cadaverine, biogenic polyamine) and characterized by microanalysis and spectroscopic (IR, ESI-MS, UV-Vis, and 1H NMR) data. The [La(NO3)3(μ-H2L)2]∞ complex displayed 10-coordinate distorted bicapped dodecahedron geometry with unusual coordination pattern of undeprotonated salicylaldimines which acted as μ-bridging ditopic ligands using exclusively the oxygens as donor atoms with the nitrogen atoms not being involved in the coordination environment.