Structures and magnetic properties of two hexanuclear [Co2Ln4]complexes

The utilization of a Schiff-base ligand (E)-1-(((2-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl)imino)methyl)nap- hthalen-2-ol afforded two 3d-4f hexanuclear complexes of formula [CoIII2LnIII4(μ3-OH)2(NO3)4 (OAc)4L4(DMF)2]·2C2H5OH [Ln = Dy(1), Gd(2)]. Single-crystal X-ray diffffraction analysis revealed that complexes 1 and 2 were isomorphous and had a chair-like topology. The core was composed of a defect-dicubane Ln4 moiety, which were supported by two μ3-OH groups. Two CoIII ions flanked the Ln4 core with one positioned above and one below the Ln4 plane. Magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed for complexes 1 and 2. Complex 1 displays an out-of-phase signal in the alternating current susceptibility indicating slow magnetic relaxation behavior.