A new three-dimensional neutral framework of lanthanum oxalate: [La2(C2O4)3(DMF)(H2O)3]n.

In the title complex, poly[triaquabis(dimethylformamide)di-mu3-oxalato-mu2-oxalato-dilanthanum(III)], [La2(C2O4)3(C3H7NO)(H2O)3]n, both La ions are coordinated by nine O atoms, forming slightly distorted tricapped trigonal prisms. The two La ions, the terminal water O atom, and the O and N atoms of the dimethylformamide molecule reside on twofold rotation axes, giving the two La-centered coordination geometries twofold or pseudo-twofold symmetries. The two oxalate ligands, one of which rests on a center of inversion at the mid-point of the C-C bond, adopt different bridging modes, connecting with the La ions to form two types of lanthanide oxalate chains, i.e. anionic {[La(C2O4)2(DMF)(H2O)2]n-}(n) (DMF is dimethylformamide) and cationic zigzag {[La(C2O4)(H2O)]n+}n, respectively. Each zigzag cationic chain is linked to four adjacent anionic chains via the bridging oxalate anions, and each anionic chain connects with four zigzag cationic chains, constructing a three-dimensional neutral framework.