A comparison of the structural chemistry of scandium, yttrium, lanthanum and lutetium: A contribution to the group 3 debate

Data deposited in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) for compounds of scandium, yttrium, lanthanum and lutetium(III) have been analysed to assess structural similarities complexes different metal ions. 29 sets Sc, Y, La Lu where at least three elements form with same ligands identified their crystal structures analysed. In 14 them, scandium lutetium coordination number; remaining 15 they do not. Similarly, there are 10 examples is a difference number between Y ligands. For other 19 either numbers or that both under consideration not reported. Overall differences correlate well size ions provide no true chemical basis arranging rather than one triad Sc Y.