Synthesis and structure of two crystalline modifications of Bis(1,10-Phenanthroline)trinitratoeuropium(III) Eu(NO3)3(Phen)2

Two crystalline modifications (I and II) of the phenanthroline complex of europium nitrate with the same chemical composition, Eu(NO3)3(Phen)2, are synthesized under different conditions by varying the solvents, temperatures, and crystallization rates. The crystal structures of these modifications are determined using X-ray diffraction. Crystalline modifications I and II differ in the unit cell parameters and the positions of the complexes in the unit cell. The geometric characteristics of the complexes in the structures of compounds I and II differ insignificantly. Crystals of compound I belong to the isostructural family Ln(NO3)3(Phen)2 (Ln = La-Lu). Crystals of compound II (new phase) are studied for the first time. Crystals of I and II are monoclinic, space group C2/c, and Z = 4. The unit cell parameters are as follows: a = 11.1555(10) Å, b = 17.9698(10) Å, c = 13.0569(10) Å, β = 100.507(10)°, and V = 2572.1(3) Å3 for modification I and a = 9.5153(10) Å, b = 15.4546(10) Å, c = 17.1763(10) Å, β = 93.451(10)°, and V = 2521.3(3) Å3 for modification II. The difference between the molecular complexes in the structures of compounds I and II is revealed by the superposition method. Complexes II are arranged along the C2 axis and are statistically disordered with respect to this axis.