Three new Cu(II)-Ln(III) heterometallic coordination polymers constructed from quinolinic acid and nicotinic acid: Synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties

Three new Cu(II)-Ln(III) heterometallic coordination polymers based on two N-heterocyclic carboxylic ligands, {[LnCu(L¹)₂(L²)(H₂O)₂]·mH₂O} _n (Ln = La(1), Nd(2), Gd(3), m = 2 (for 1), 1 (for 2, 3), H₂L¹ = quinolinic acid, HL² = nicotinic acid), have been synthesized and characterized. 1 has a two-dimensional (2D) layer structure with a Schl?fli symbol of (4⁴.6²), while complexes 2 and 3 are isostructural and have three-dimensional (3D) structures with a Schl?fli symbol of (3.4.5)₂(3².4².5².6¹⁴.7⁴.8³.9)(3².6³.7) of 3-nodal net. Magnetic investigations suggest that antiferromagnetic coupling exists between Nd^III and Cu^II in 2, while weak ferromagnetic coupling between Gd^III and Cu^II in 3. The difference of magnetic properties between 2 and 3 has been discussed.