Among various factors affecting formation of polynuclear complex, steric hindrance is considered to be especially important. An aliphatic Schiff base (TAGL) from tetraglycol aldehyde and glycine offers a possible means to reduce steric hindrance. Some trinuclear rare earth complexes (Ln:L=3:1) were synthesized and their formulas were established as [Ln~3(TAGL) (NO~3)~7] CH~3OH·nH~2O (Ln=La, Nd, Sm, n=1; Ln=Gd, Dy, Yb, Y, n=2) by elemental analysis, IR, NMR etc. On the basis of EPR spectrum of the obtained Gd(III) complex, the crystal field strength is discussed. In addition, the proton signal of δ~H~C~=~N in this aliphatic Schiff base showed obvious upfield shift and appeared at ～5.10, which made spectral assignment much easier.

Key words: RARE EARTH METAL COMPLEX, SCHIFF BASE, GLYCINE, NMR SPECTROMETRY, PARAMAGNETIC RESONANCE, LANTHANUM COMPLEX, NEODYMIUM COMPLEX, GADOLINIUM COMPLEX, DYSPROSIUM COMPLEX, YTTERBIUM COMPLEX