Lanthanide diruthenium(II,III) compounds showing layered and PtS-type open framework structures.

Two types of lanthanide diruthenium phosphonate compounds, based on the mixed-valent metal-metal bonded paddlewheel core of Ru(2)(hedp)(2)(3-) [hedp = 1-hydroxyethylidenediphosphonate, CH(3)C(OH)(PO(3))(2)], have been prepared with the formulas Ln(H(2)O)4[Ru(2)(hedp)(2)(H(2)O)2].5.5H(2)O (1.Ln, Ln = La, Ce) and Ln(H(2)O)4[Ru(2)(hedp)(2)(H(2)O)(2)].8H(2)O (2.Ln, Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er). In both types, each Ru(2)(hedp)2(H2O)23- unit is linked by four Ln(3+)ions through four phosphonate oxygen (OP) atoms and vice versa. The geometries of the {LnO(P4)} group, however, are different in the two cases. In 1.Ln, the geometry of {LnO(P4)} is closer to a distorted plane, and thus a square-grid layer structure is found. In 2.Ln, the geometry of {LnO(P4)} is better described as a distorted tetrahedron; hence, a unique PtS-type open-framework structure is observed. The channels generated in structures 2.Ln are filled with water aggregates with extensive hydrogen-bond interactions. The magnetic and electrochemical properties are also investigated.