Synthesis, structure, and magnetism of a family of heterometallic {Cu2Ln7} and {Cu4Ln12} (Ln = Gd, Tb, and Dy) complexes: the Gd analogues exhibiting a large magnetocaloric effect.

The syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of two heterometallic Cu(II)-Ln(III) (Ln(III) = Gd, Tb, and Dy) families, utilizing triethanolamine and carboxylate ligands, are reported. The first structural motif displays a nonanuclear {Cu(II)2Ln(III)7} metallic core, while the second reveals a hexadecanuclear {Cu(II)4Ln(III)12} core. The differing nuclearities of the two families stem from the choice of carboxylic acid used in the synthesis. Magnetic studies show that the most impressive features are displayed by the {Cu(II)2Gd(III)7} and {Cu(II)4Gd(III)12} complexes, which display a large magnetocaloric effect, with entropy changes -ΔSm = 34.6 and 33.0 J kg(-1) K(-1) at T = 2.7 and 2.9 K, respectively, for a 9 T applied field change. It is also found that the {Cu(II)4Dy(III)12} complex displays single-molecule magnet behavior, with an anisotropy barrier to magnetization reversal of 10.1 K.