Molecular Structure
Lanthanide triflates consist of a lanthanide metal ion and three triflate ions. The lanthanides, or rare earth metals, are the elements from lanthanum to lutetium in the periodic table. Triflate is a contraction of trifluoromethanesulfonate; its molecular formula is CF3SO3, and is commonly designated ‘OTf’. Triflic acid is a ‘superacid’ so its conjugate base ions are very stable. Lanthanide triflates are normally nonahydrates, mostly commonly depicted as as Ln(OTf)3·(H2O)9; however, in the solid state and in aqueous solution, the waters are bound to the lanthanide and the triflates are counteranions, so more accurately lanthanide triflate nonahydrate is written as (OTf)3. Anhydrous lanthanide triflates, Ln(OTf)3, are also easily obtained as described below. The metal triflate complex is strongly electrophilic, thus acts as a strong Lewis acid.
Read more about this topic: Lanthanide Trifluoromethanesulfonates
Famous quotes containing the word structure:
“The philosopher believes that the value of his philosophy lies in its totality, in its structure: posterity discovers it in the stones with which he built and with which other structures are subsequently built that are frequently better—and so, in the fact that that structure can be demolished and yet still possess value as material.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)