The crystal structures of yttrium, holmium and erbium formate dihydrates*

Abstract

Abstract Crystal structures of orthorhombic P212121 isomorphous Y, Ho and Er formate dihydrates [Y(HCO2)3 · 2 H2O] have been determined from X-ray diffraction data. The metal atom is coordinated by eight oxygens in a distorted D4d square antiprism. Two of the oxygens are associated with water, six with the three formate groups. The three formate groups link the metal polyhedra to a three dimensional framework structure. Lanthanide contraction is expressed in slightly shorter M–O distances in Er-formate dihydrate.