Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: July 21, 2011
Stereoisomerism in Lanthanide Complexes: Enumeration, Chirality, Identification, Random Coordination Ratios
Frederico T Silva1, Sóstenes L S Lins2, Alfredo M Simas1
1Departamento de Química Fundamental, CCEN , Universidade Federal de Pernambuco , 50740-560 Recife , Pernambuco , Brazil.
This study introduces random coordination ratios (RCRs) to quantify lanthanide complex stereoisomers. A new method uniquely identifies stereoisomers and their absolute configurations, revealing overlooked chirality in these compounds.
Area of Science:
- Coordination Chemistry
- Stereochemistry
- Lanthanide Complexes
Background:
- Coordination chirality in lanthanide complexes is often overlooked.
- These complexes can exhibit high dissymmetry factors when luminescent.
- A systematic method for stereoisomer identification is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce random coordination ratios (RCRs) for lanthanide complexes.
- Develop a method for unambiguous stereoisomer identification and absolute configuration determination.
- Classify and enumerate stereoisomers for various coordination numbers and ligand types.
Main Methods:
- Enumeration of all possible stereoisomers for lanthanide complexes (coordination numbers 4-9).
- Application of Pólya's theorem to confirm stereoisomer counts.
- Classification of stereoisomers by symmetry point groups and generation of Cartesian coordinates.
Main Results:
- A novel concept of random coordination ratios (RCRs) is presented.
- A method for unique stereoisomer identification and unambiguous stereochemistry characterization is established.
- A dilanthanide complex was identified as a meso compound, highlighting the method's utility.
Conclusions:
- The developed methodology provides a robust framework for analyzing lanthanide complex stereochemistry.
- This work facilitates the recognition of coordination chirality and the identification of meso compounds.
- The generated stereoisomer geometries serve as valuable starting points for theoretical calculations.
Related Concept Videos
Stereoisomerism
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula.
Transition metal complexes often exist as geometric isomers, in which the same atoms are connected through the same types of bonds but with differences in their orientation in space. Coordination complexes with two different ligands in the cis and trans positions from a ligand of interest form isomers. For example, the octahedral [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+ ion has two isomers (Figure 1) In the cis...
Coordination Number and Geometry
Coordination Compounds and Nomenclature
Chirality
Chiral objects exhibit a sense of handedness when they interact with another chiral object. For example, our left foot can only fit in the left shoe and not in the right shoe. Achiral objects — objects that have...
Stereoisomerism of Cyclic Compounds
Chirality in Nature

