Heterometallic cubane-like {M2Ln2} (M = Ni, Zn; Ln =, Gd, Dy) and {Ni2Y2} aggregates. Synthesis, structures and magnetic properties.

The syntheses, structural determinations and magnetic studies of tetranuclear M(II)Ln(III) complexes (M = Ni, Zn; Ln = Y, Gd, Dy) involving an in situ compartmentalized schiff base ligand HL derived from the condensation of o-vanillin and 2-hydrazinopyridine as main ligand are described. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that all complexes are closely isostructural, with the central core composed of distorted {M(2)Ln(2)O(4)} cubes of the formulas Ni(2)Ln(2)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(L)(2)(OAc)(4)(H(2)O)(3.5)(2)·3H(2)O (Ln = Y 1 and Gd 2), Ni(2)Dy(2)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(L)(2)(OAc)(5)(EtOH)(H(2)O)(1.5)·EtOH·H(2)O (3) and Zn(2)Ln(2)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(L)(2)(OAc)(5)(EtOH)(H(2)O)·2EtOH·1.5H(2)O (Gd 4 and Dy 5). The Ln(III) ions are linked by two hydroxo bridges and each M(II) ion is also involved in a double phenoxo-hydroxo bridge with the two Ln(III) ions, so that each hydroxo group is triply linked to the two Ln(III) and one M(II) ions. The magnetic properties of all complexes have been investigated. Ni(2)Y(2) (1) has a ferromagnetic Ni(II)Ni(II) interaction. A weak ferromagnetic Ni(II)Ln(III) interaction is observed in the Ni(2)Ln(2) complexes (Ln = Gd 2, Dy 3), along with a weak antiferromagnetic Ln(III)Ln(III) interaction, a D zero-field splitting term for the nickel ion and a ferromagnetic Ni(II)Ni(II) interaction. The isomorphous Zn(2)Ln(2) (Ln = Gd 4, Dy 5) does confirm the presence of a weak antiferromagnetic Ln(III)Ln(III) interaction. The Ni(2)Dy(2) complex (3) does not behave as a SMM, which could result from a subtractive combination of the Dy and Ni anisotropies and an increased transverse anisotropy, leading to large tunnel splittings and quantum tunneling of magnetization. On the other hand, Zn(2)Dy(2) (5) exhibits a possible SMM behavior, where its slow relaxation of magnetization is probably attributed to the presence of the anisotropic Dy(III) ions.