Synthesis, crystal structure and catalytic property of a samarium complex with Hpytza [Hpytza = 5-(3-pyridyl) tetrazole-2-acetic acid]

A reaction of SmCl3·6H2O and Hpytza (Hpytza = 5-(3-pyridyl) tetrazole-2-acetic acid) under the presence of KOH, produced a novel coordination compound, [Sm(pytza)2Cl(H2O)2] (1). This compound was structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 reveals an 1D structure via its bridging pytza ligand and simultaneously shows a specific and good catalytic behavior for the photo-polymerization of vinyl monomers. Furthermore, the high molecular weight polymers with narrow polydispersity were obtained, and the polymerization showed controlled characteristics. The catalyst can be isolated from polymer products easily and reused for at least 10 times.