An exceptionally stable 3D GdIII-organic framework for use as a magnetocaloric refrigerant

An unexpected 3D Gd-III-organic framework containing random Gd-III-hydroxy "ladders", {[Gd(OH)(H2O)(abtc)(0.5)]center dot H2(O)}(n) (1) (H(4)abtc = 3,3',5,5'-azobenzene-tetracarboxylic acid), has been synthesized by an easy solvothermal method with high yield, which is the first lanthanide-based complex including the H4abtc ligand. It is noteworthy that the H4abtc used in 1 is the largest ligand compared with all previously reported 3D magnetic refrigerants to date, however, the cryogenic magnetic refrigeration property suggests that 1 possesses a large magnetocaloric effect (MCE). More importantly, the superior stability of 1 towards air, water, solvents and particularly acidic or alkaline conditions, leads it to be a promising candidate for application as a magnetic refrigerant.