Synthesis, characterization, and properties of three europium 2-propoxides: [Eu(4)(OPr(i))(10)(HOPr(i))(3)]*2HOPr(i), Eu(5)O(OPr(i))(13), and EuAl(3)(OPr(i))(12).

The reaction of Eu metal with HOPr(i)/toluene solutions yielded the mixed Eu(2+)/Eu(3+) alkoxide [Eu(4)(OPr(i))(10)(HOPr(i))(3)] x 2HOPr(i) (1), in contrast to the other lanthanide metals, which exclusively yield trivalent lanthanide ions in the alkoxides formed. Metathesis between EuCl(3) and 3KOPr(i) and stoichiometric hydrolysis yielded the square-pyramidal Eu(5)O(OPr(i))(13) (2), and metathesis with EuCl(3) and 3KAl(OPr(i))(4) gave EuAl(3)(OPr(i))(12) (3). The structures of these compounds were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. IR spectroscopic studies showed that the solid-state molecular structure of the three alkoxides remained close to intact in solution. Further characterizations were made with UV-vis spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and solubility studies. It was also found that 1 can be converted to 2 by oxidation with dioxygen, but 2 was not reduced by Eu metal to 1. The reactions of 2 and 1 with Al(4)(OPr(i))(12) in toluene/HOPr(i) solvent were studied by IR and UV-vis spectroscopy; 2 reacted completely to form 3 in 2 h at 75 degrees C, while 1 reacted to yield 3 and other unidentified Eu(2+) containing product(s) in the same time.