A series of zero-dimensional Co(II)-Ln(III) heterometallic complexes derived from 2,3-dichlorobenzoate and 2,2′-bipyridine: Syntheses, structures and magnetic properties

Eight 3d-4f heterometallic complexes were successfully yielded by the solvothermal reactions of Ln(NO3)(3)center dot nH(2)O, Co(NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O, 2,3-dichlorobenzoic acid (2,3-HDCB), NaOH and 2,2'-bipyridine (2,2'-bpy), namely [Ln(2)Co(2)(2,3-DCB)(10)(2,2'-bpy)(2)] [Ln = Nd (1), Sm (2), Eu (3), Gd (4), Tb (5), Dy (6), Er (7) and Yb (8)]. These eight complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectrum, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). They show isomorphous zero-dimensional (0D) linear tetranuclear cluster structures. Their magnetic properties were investigated.