Structural characterisation of a diprotonated ligand lanthanide complex--a key intermediate in lanthanide ion association and complex dissociation pathways.

The X-ray structure is reported of a diprotonated Gd(III) tetra-aqua complex of the ligand 1,4,7,10-tetrakis(carbamoylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (DOTAM), a thermodynamic intermediate in metal ion association and dissociation pathways.