Co₃Gd₄ Cage as Magnetic Refrigerant and Co₃Dy₃ Cage Showing Slow Relaxation of Magnetisation

Abstract

Two structurally dissimilar 3d-4f cages having the formulae [(CoIII)3Gd4(μ3-OH)2(CO3) (O2CtBu)11(teaH)3]·5H2O (1) and [(CoIII)3Dy3(μ3-OH)4(O2CtBu)6(teaH)3]·(NO3)2·H2O (2) have been isolated under similar reaction conditions and stoichiometry of the reactants. The most important factor for structural diversity seems to be the incorporation of one μ3-carbonate anion in 1 and not in 2. Co atoms are in a +3 oxidation state in both complexes, as shown by the Bond Valence Sum (BVS) calculations and bond lengths, and as further supported by magnetic measurements. Co3Gd4 displays a significant magnetocaloric effect (−∆Sm = 25.67 J kg−1 K−1), and Co3Dy3 shows a single molecule magnet (SMM) behavior.

Keywords

• coordination cluster
• single molecular magnet
• magnetic refrigerant
• cages