Spacers directed self-assembly of heterobimetallic copper(II)-lanthanide (III) [Ln = Nd and Gd] moieties: Syntheses, structural diversities and magnetic properties

Three new 3d-4f heteronuclear one and two dimensional coordination polymers (CPs), {[Cu(L1(2-))Nd(NO3) (mu-NO3)(H2O)(2)](center dot)NO3}(n) (1), [Cu(L2(2-))Nd(IN-)(NO3)(2)](n) (2) and [Cu(L2(2-))Gd(IN)(NO3)(2)](n) (3), have been synthesized and characterized by using FT-IR, elemental analysis, Hirshfeld surface analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction study. Complex 1 represents the first example of a nitrate bridged Cu(II)-Nd(III) zigzag one dimensional chain, to the best of our knowledge. The X-ray crystal structure analysis reveals that complexes 2 and 3 are isomorphous two dimensional coordination polymers whose heterometallic dinuclear units of Cu-Nd in 2 and Cu-Gd in 3 are connected by the isonicotinate anion as a spacer. A magnetic study reveals that antiferromagnetic interactions exist between the Cu(II) and Nd(III) ions in 1 and 2, however ferromagnetic interactions exist between the Cu(II) and Gd(III) ions in 3.