The photo-isomerization of the cyclononatetraenyl ligand and related rare earth complexes.

The cyclononatetraenyl (Cnt) ligand is a large monoanionic ligand. It is easily synthesized by ring expansion after cyclopropanation of the cyclooctatetraenyl (Cot) ligand. The Cnt ligand can be reported as the --- () isomer, where the aromatic ring is flat, and all carbon atoms form a homogenous ring, and as the --- () isomer, where one carbon places itself inside the ring.