title: Dual shell-like magnetic clusters containing Ni(II) and Ln(III) (Ln = La, Pr, and Nd) ions.
abstract: Dual shell-like nanoscopic magnetic clusters featuring a polynuclear nickel(II) framework encapsulating that of lanthanide ions (Ln = La, Pr, and Nd) were synthesized using Ni(NO3)(2).6H2O, Ln(NO3)(3).6H2O, and iminodiacetic acid (IDA) under hydrothermal conditions. Structurally established by crystallographic studies, these clusters are [La20Ni30(IDA)30(CO3)6(NO3)6(OH)30(H2O)12](CO3)(6).72H2O (1), [Ln20Ni21(C4H5NO4)21(OH)24(C2H2O3)6(C2O4)3(NO3)9(H2O)12](NO3)9.nH2O [C2H2O3 is the alkoxide form of glycolate; Ln = Pr (2), n = 42; Nd (3), n = 50], and {[La4Ni5Na(IDA)5(CO3)(NO3)4(OH)5(H2O)5][CO3].10H2O} infinity (4). Carbonate, oxalate, and glycolate are products of hydrothermal decomposition of IDA. Compositions of these compounds were confirmed by satisfactory elemental analyses. It has been found that the cluster structure is dependent on the identity of the lanthanide ion as well as the starting Ln/Ni/IDA ratio. The cationic cluster of 1 features a core of the Keplerate type with an outer icosidodecahedron of Ni(II) ions encaging a dodecahedral kernel of La(III). Clusters 2 and 3, distinctly different from 1, are isostructural, possessing a core of an outer shell of 21 Ni(II) ions encapsulating an inner shell of 20 Ln(III) ions. Complex 4 is a three-dimensional assembly of cluster building blocks connected by units of Na(NO3)/La(NO3)3; the structure of the building block resembles closely that of 1, with a hydrated La(III) ion internalized in the decanuclear cage being an extra feature. Magnetic studies indicated ferromagnetic interactions in 1, while overall antiferromagnetic interactions were revealed for 2 and 3. The polymeric, three-dimensional cluster network 4 displayed interesting ferrimagnetic interactions.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface and Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
authors.forename: Xiang-Jian
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Yan-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: La-Sheng
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Zhiping
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nichol
authors.forename: Rong-Bin
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Lan-Sun
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Zheng