Adducts [( dmso )nLn(O2NO)3], obtained by the crystallizatior , of lanthanoid (III) nitrate ( Ln (NO3)3.-xH2O) with excess dimethyl sulfoxide (' dmso ') in methanol or ethanol, have been the subject of a series of room-temperature single-crystal X-ray studies, defining more clearly the manner in which stoichiometry and structure systematically vary with change in metal ion radius. All complexes studied are mononuclear, the metal ion being complexed by three bidentate nitrate ligands and a number of dmso ligands , four for La-Sm and three beyond. The array La- Sm is monoclinic C2/c, a ≈ 14.9, b ≈ 15.5, c ≈ 15.5 Ǻ, β ≈ 108.4°, Z = 4 f.u .; the metal atom is disposed on a crystallographic 2 axis, which also passes through one of the nitrate groups. The series Eu -Tm (inclusive also of Y) is monoclinic, P21/n, a ≈ 11.5, b ≈ 12.7, c ≈ 13.6 Ǻ, β ≈ 100°, Z = 4 f.u ., while Yb and Lu are also monoclinic, P21/c, a ≈ 10.0, b ≈ 12.6, c ≈ 16 Ǻ, β ≈ 100.6°, Z = 4 f.u.
