Rare earth complexes with 4-methylmorpholine-N-oxide

Complexes of rare earth trifluoroacetates (TFA) with 4-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (MMNO) of composition Ln(TFA)3·3MMNO (Ln=Eu, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb and Y) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis data, complexometric titration with EDTA, IR absorption spectra, thermogravimetric analyses and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in N2 atmosphere. Infrared spectroscopy data revealed that the MMNO molecules are bound to the central ion through the oxygen of NO groups. These data suggest that the trifluoracetate groups are also coordinated. Thermogravimetric curves indicate that the decomposition of MMNO begins at approximately 350 K and results in Ln2O3 residue at around 1170 K. A theoretical kinetic study was carried out using a QBASIC program with the TG input data for the Dy complex.