Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a novel family of heterometallic nonanuclear Na(I)2Mn(III)6Ln(III) (Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy) complexes

The structures and magnetic properties of four isomorphous nonanuclear heterometallic complexes [Na(2){Mn(3)(III)(μ(3)-O(2-))}(2)Ln(III)(hmmp)(6)(O(2)CPh)(4)(N(3))(2)]OH·0.5 CH(3)CN·1.5H(2)O are reported, where Ln(III) = Eu (1), Gd (2), Tb (3) and Dy (4), H(2)hmmp = 2-[(2-hydroxyethylimino)methyl]-6-methoxyphenol. Complexes 1-4 were prepared by the reactions of hmmpH(2) with a manganese salt and the respective lanthanide salt together with NaO(2)CPh and NaN(3). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the six Mn(III) and one Ln(III) metal topology in the aggregate can be described as a bitetrahedron. The two peripheral [Mn(III)(3)(μ(3)-O(2-))](7+) triangles are each bonded to a central Ln(III) ion with rare distorted octahedral geometry. The magnetic properties of all the complexes were investigated using variable temperature magnetic susceptibility and both antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions exist in the [Mn(III)(3)(μ(3)-O(2-))](7+) triangle. Weak ferromagnetic exchange between the Ln(III) and Mn(III) ions has been established for the corresponding Gd derivative. The Gd, Tb and Dy complexes show no evidence of slow relaxation behaviour above 2.0 K.     

Controlled aggregation of heterometallic nanoscale Cu12Ln6 clusters (Ln = Gd(III) or Nd(III)) into 2D coordination polymers

Discrete dinuclear and polymeric heterometallic copper(II)-lanthanide(III) complexes have been synthesized upon variation of pH and characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Reactions of the ligand Htza (tetrazole-1-acetic acid) with copper(II) and lanthanide(III) salts gave dinuclear [CuLn(tza)4(H2O)5Cl] complexes at the low pH of 3.5 and 2D heterometallic coordination polymers with high-nuclearity [{Cu2(OH)2}2{Cu12Ln6(mu3-OH)24(Cl)(1/2)(NO3)(1/2)(tza)12(H2O)18}](NO3)(9).8H2O (Ln = Gd or Nd) at a higher pH of 6.6. The acidity of the reaction solution can cause drastic changes in the structures of the products. In the dinuclear complexes, each pair of adjacent dinuclear molecules is linked through hydrogen bonds and pi-pi stacking interactions, and the whole structure is a hydrogen-bonded three-dimensional cubic net. In the coordination polymers, the connecting nodes are [Cu12Ln6] units, which are interconnected by [Cu2O2] units into two-dimensional structures. Magnetic studies exhibit the existence of weak exchange interactions between the Cu(II) and Ln(III) ions bridged by carboxylate and hydroxy ligands.     

Heterometallic cubanes: syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of lanthanide(III)-nickel(II) architectures

Reactions of lanthanide(III) perchlorate (Ln = Dy, Tb, and Gd), nickel(II) acetate, and ditopic ligand 2-(benzothiazol-2-ylhydrazonomethyl)-6-methoxyphenol (H(2)L) in a mixture of methanol and acetone in the presence of NaOH resulted in the successful assembly of novel Ln(2)Ni(2) heterometallic clusters representing a new heterometallic 3d-4f motif. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that all compounds are isostructural, with the central core composed of distorted [Ln(2)Ni(2)O(4)] cubanes of the general formula [Ln(2)Ni(2)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(OH)(OAc)(4)(HL)(2)(MeOH)(3)](ClO(4))·3MeOH [Ln = Dy (1), Tb (2), and Gd (3)]. The magnetic properties of all compounds have been investigated. Magnetic analysis on compound 3 indicates ferromagnetic Gd···Ni exchange interactions competing with antiferromagnetic Ni···Ni interactions. Compound 1 displays slow relaxation of magnetization, which is largely attributed to the presence of the anisotropic Dy(III) ions, and thus represents a new discrete [Dy(2)Ni(2)] heterometallic cubane exhibiting probable single-molecule magnetic behavior.     

A new family of octanuclear Cu4Ln4 (Ln = Gd, Tb and Dy) spin clusters

The reaction of Cu(OAc)2 and Ln(OAc)3 (Ln = Gd, Tb and Dy) with 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (ampdH2) under solvothermal conditions has afforded a new family of isostructural octanuclear Cu4Ln4 complexes with the formula [Cu4Ln4(OAc)12(ampdH)8(OH2)2] (Ln = Gd (1), Tb (2) and Dy(3)) in good yield. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal weak intramolecular exchange interactions for 1 and 2. Ferromagnetic coupling is observed for 1 and attributed to Cu...Gd interactions. In contrast, the magnetic susceptibility behaviour of 2 arises from a combination of intramolecular exchange interactions and the crystal field splitting of the (7)F6 ground state of the Tb(III) ions.     

Structure, magnetism and theory of a family of nonanuclear Cu(II)5Ln(III)4-triethanolamine clusters displaying single-molecule magnet behaviour

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic studies are reported for four new heterometallic Cu(II)-Ln(III) clusters. The reaction of Cu(NO(3))(2)·3H(2)O with triethanolamine (teaH(3)), pivalic acid, triethylamine and Ln(NO(3))(3)·6H(2)O (Ln=Gd, Tb, Dy and Ho) results in the formation of four isostructural nonanuclear complexes of general formula [Cu(II)(5)Ln(III)(4)O(2)(teaH)(4){O(2)CC(CH(3))(3)}(2)(NO(3))(4)(OMe)(4)]·2MeOH·2Et(2)O [Ln=Gd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3) and Ho (4)]. The metal core of each cluster is made up of four face- and vertex-sharing tetrahedral units. Solid-state DC magnetic susceptibility studies reveal competing anti- and ferromagnetic interactions within each cluster leading to large-spin ground states for 1-4. Solid-state AC magnetic susceptibility studies show frequency-dependent out-of-phase (χ'(M)) signals for 2-4 below 4 K, suggestive of single-molecule magnet behaviour. Ab initio calculations on one of the anisotropic examples (3) provided a rare set of J values for Dy-Cu and Cu-Cu exchange interactions (Dy-Dy zero), some ferro- and some antiferromagnetic in character, that explain its magnetic behaviour.     

Trinuclear lanthanide complexes of a compartmental ligand N,N'-bis(2-pyridinyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide: a spectroscopic investigation

Trinuclear lanthanide complexes of the formula [Ln(3)(PPDA)(NO(3))(6)(H(2)O)(2)].NO(3).2H(2)O where Ln=La(III), Pr(III), Sm(III), Nd(III), Eu(III) Gd(III) Tb(III), Dy(III) and Y(III); H(2)PPDA=N,N'-bis(2-pyridinyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide, have been isolated. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, magnetic susceptibility measurements and spectral (IR, NMR, UV-vis, fluorescence, FAB and EPR) and thermal studies.     

Carboxylate-bridged copper(II)-lanthanide(III) complexes [(Cu(3)Ln(2)(oda)(6)(H(2)O)(6)).12H(2)O](n)(Ln = Dy,Ho, Er,Y; oda = oxydiacetate)

The hydrothermal reaction of Ln(2)O(3) (Ln = Dy and Ho), Cu(OAc)(2).2H(2)O, and oxydiacetic acid in the approximate mole ratio of 1:3:8 resulted in the formation of two new members of the isostructural series of polymers formulated as [(Cu(3)Ln(2)(oda)(6)(H(2)O)(6)).12H(2)O](n), crystallizing in the hexagonal crystal system, space group P6/mcc (No. 192). Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities and EPR spectra are reported for the heterometallic compounds Cu-Dy 1, Cu-Ho 2, Cu-Er 3, and Cu-Y 4. The results are discussed in terms of the structure of the compounds, the electronic properties of the lanthanide ions, and the exchange interactions between the magnetic ions.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure and properties of Ni(II)-4f complexes based on 1H-benzimidazole-5,6-dicarboxylic acid

Nine novel heterometallic coordination polymers [Ln(2)Ni(Hbidc)(2)(SO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(8)](n) (Ln = Pr (1), Sm (2), Eu (3), Gd (4), Tb (5), Dy (6), Ho (7), Er (8), Yb (9), H(3)bidc = 1H-benzimidazole-5,6-dicarboxylic acid) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, TG analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray analysis revealed that all complexes present almost identical three-dimensional (3D) structures with PtS-type topology. Complexes 1-7 are all isomorphous, and the structure variation of polymers 8 and 9 is induced by the lanthanide contraction effect. In additional, the luminescence properties of complexes 2, 3 and 5-7, and the magnetic properties of complexes 4 and 6-8 were investigated.     

Lanthanide complexes of tritopic bis(hydrazone) ligands: single-molecule magnet behavior in a linear Dy(III)3 complex

Tritopic pyridinebis(hydrazone)-based ligands typically produce square M(9) [3 × 3] grid complexes with first-row transition-metal ions (e.g., M = Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn), but with larger lanthanide ions, such coordination motifs are not produced, and instead linear trinuclear complexes appear to be a preferred option. The reaction of 2pomp [derived from pyridine-2,6-bis(hydrazone) and 2-acetylpyridine] with La(III), Gd(III), and Dy(III) salts produces helical linear trinuclear [Ln(3)(2pomp)(2)]-based complexes, where each metal ion occupies one of the three tridentate ligand pockets. Two ligands encompass the three metal ions, and internal connections between metal ions occur through μ-O(hydrazone) bridges. Coligands include benzoate, nitrate, and N,N-dimethylformamide. The linear Dy(III)(3) complex exhibits single-molecule magnet behavior, demonstrated through alternating-current susceptibility measurements. Slow thermal magnetic relaxation was detected in an external field of 1800 Oe, where quantum-tunneling effects were suppressed (U(eff) = 14 K).     

A family of three-dimensional 3d-4f and 4d-4f heterometallic coordination polymers based on mixed isonicotinate and 2-sulfobenzoate ligands: syntheses, structures and photoluminescent properties

Hydrothermal reactions of isonicotinic acid (Hina), 2-sulfobenzoic acid (H(2)sba), d-block metal salts and lanthanide oxides/hydroxides yielded 17 three-dimensional (3D) 3d-4f and 4d-4f heterometallic coordination polymers (HCPs). They are formulated as [LaAg(sba)(ina)(2)](n) (1), [Ln(2)Ag(2)(sba)(2)(ina)(4)(H(2)O)(2)](n) [Ln = Pr (2), Nd (3), Sm (4), Eu (5), Gd (6), Tb (7), Dy (8), Ho (9), Er (10)] and [Ln(2)Cu(2)(sba)(2)(ina)(4)(H(2)O)(2)](n) [Ln = La (11), Pr (12), Nd (13), Sm (14), Eu (15), Gd (16), Tb (17)]. Their structures were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis (EA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It reveals that they represent two structural types of 3D HCPs. Furthermore, the investigations of their solid-state photoluminescent (PL) property demonstrate the extraordinary emission behaviors. HCP 1(La-Ag) exhibits tunable blue-to-green PL emissions by variation of excitation light. HCPs 6(Gd-Ag), 11(La-Cu), 12(Pr-Cu) and 16(Gd-Cu) show d(10)-metal-based ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) or metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) emissions. HCPs 3(Nd-Ag), 4(Sm-Ag), 5(Eu-Ag), 7(Tb-Ag), 8(Dy-Ag), 13(Nd-Cu), 14(Sm-Cu), 15(Eu-Cu) and 17(Tb-Cu) display characteristic PL emissions of the corresponding Ln(III) ions, while both d(10)-metal-based and 4f-metal-centered emissions are observed in the emission spectra of 4(Sm-Ag), 8(Dy-Ag), 14(Sm-Cu) and 17(Tb-Cu).     

Steric hindrances create a discrete linear Dy4 complex exhibiting SMM behaviour

Two linear tetranuclear lanthanide complexes of general formula [Ln(4)(L)(2)(C(6)H(5)COO)(12)(MeOH)(4)], where HL = 2,6-bis((furan-2-ylmethylimino)methyl)-4-methylphenol, () and Ln(III) = Dy(III) (1) and Gd(III) (2), have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structural analysis demonstrates that two Schiff-base ligands inhibit the growth of benzoate bridged 1D chains, leading to the isolation of discrete tetranuclear complexes due to their steric hindrances. Every Ln(III) ion is coordinated by eight donor atoms in a distorted bicapped trigonal-prismatic arrangement. Alternating current (ac) susceptibility measurements of complex 1 reveal a frequency- and temperature-dependent out-of-phase signal under zero dc field, typical of single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour with an anisotropic barrier Δ(eff) = 17.2 K.     

Two- and three-dimensional lanthanide complexes: synthesis, crystal structures, and properties

3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid (H3L) reacts with nitrate salts of lanthanide(III) (Ln=Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er) under hydrothermal conditions to form a series of lanthanide polymers 1-9. These nine polymers have the same crystal system of monoclinic, but they exhibit three different kinds of metal-organic framework structures. The complexes {[Ln2(HL)3(H2O)4].2H2O}n (Ln=Pr (1), Nd (2), and Sm (3)) were isostructural and exhibited porous 3D frameworks with a Cc space group. The complexes {[Ln2(HL)3(H2O)3].3H2O}n (Ln=Eu (4), Gd (5), and Tb (6)) were isostructural and built 2D double-decker (2DD) frameworks with a P21/c space group. The complexes {[Ln(HL)(H2L)(H2O)2]}n ((Ln=Dy (7), Ho (8), and Er (9)) were also isostructural and formed 2D monolayer (2DM) frameworks with a P21/n space group. The structure variation from the 3D porous framework to the 2D double-decker to the 2D monolayer is attributed to the lanthanide contraction effect. Notably, six new coordination modes of 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid were observed, which proved that 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid may be used as an effective bridging ligand to assemble lanthanide-based coordination polymers. The photophysical and magnetic properties have also been investigated.     

Luminescence tuning of imidazole-based lanthanide(III) complexes [Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy

To tune the lanthanide luminescence in related molecular structures, we synthesized and characterized a series of lanthanide complexes with imidazole-based ligands: two tripodal ligands, tris{[2-{(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)methylidene}amino]ethyl}amine (Me(3)L), and tris{[2-{(imidazol-4-yl)methylidene}amino]ethyl}amine (H(3)L), and the dipodal ligand bis{[2-{(imidazol-4-yl)methylidene}amino]ethyl}amine (H(2)L). The general formulas are [Ln(Me(3)L)(H(2)O)(2)](NO(3))(3)·3H(2)O (Ln = 3+ lanthanide ion: Sm (1), Eu (2), Gd (3), Tb (4), and Dy (5)), [Ln(H(3)L)(NO(3))](NO(3))(2)·MeOH (Ln(3+) = Sm (6), Eu (7), Gd (8), Tb (9), and Dy (10)), and [Ln(H(2)L)(NO(3))(2)(MeOH)](NO(3))·MeOH (Ln(3+) = Sm (11), Eu (12), Gd (13), Tb (14), and Dy (15)). Each lanthanide ion is 9-coordinate in the complexes with the Me(3)L and H(3)L ligands and 10-coordinate in the complexes with the H(2)L ligand, in which counter anion and solvent molecules are also coordinated. The complexes show a screw arrangement of ligands around the lanthanide ions, and their enantiomorphs form racemate crystals. Luminescence studies have been carried out on the solid and solution-state samples. The triplet energy levels of Me(3)L, H(3)L, and H(2)L are 21?000, 22?700, and 23?000 cm(-1), respectively, which were determined from the phosphorescence spectra of their Gd(3+) complexes. The Me(3)L ligand is an effective sensitizer for Sm(3+) and Eu(3+) ions. Efficient luminescence of Sm(3+), Eu(3+), Tb(3+), and Dy(3+) ions was observed in complexes with the H(3)L and H(2)L ligands. Ligand modification by changing imidazole groups alters their triplet energy, and results in different sensitizing ability towards lanthanide ions.     

Nitrate-Bridged "Pseudo-Double-Propeller"-Type Lanthanide(III)-Copper(II) Heterometallic Clusters: Syntheses, Structures, and Magnetic Properties

Two discrete nitrate-bridged novel "pseudo-double-propeller"-shaped hexanuclear Cu/Ln clusters of the formula [Cu(4)Ln(2)L(4)L'(4)(NO(3))(2)(OH(2))(2)]·3NO(3)·4H(2)O [Ln = Dy, Gd; LH = o-vanilin; L'H = 2-(hydroxyethyl)pyridine] were synthesized and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed the trimeric half-propeller-type Cu(2)/Ln core connected to other opposite-handed similar trimers by a bridging nitrate ligand. The Dy analogue, [Cu(4)Dy(2)L(4)L'(4)(NO(3))(2)(OH(2))(2)]·3NO(3)·4H(2)O, shows frequency-dependent out-of-phase alternating-current magnetic susceptibility, which indicates that this novel discrete [Cu(4)Dy(2)] heterometallic cluster may exhibit single-molecule-magnet behavior.     

Two three-dimensional 2p-3d-4f heterometallic frameworks featuring a Ln6Cu24Na12 cluster as a node

Two three-dimensional 2p-3d-4f heterometallic frameworks featuring a nanosized Ln(6)Cu(24)Na(12) (Ln = Gd, Dy) cluster as a node have been obtained under microwave irradiation conditions through the reaction of H(2)ANMA (H(2)ANMA = L-alanine-N-monoacetic acid), Cu(NO(3))(2), and Ln(NO(3))(3) (Ln = Gd for 1, Dy for 2) with NaOH in deionized water. Investigations on the magnetic properties show that 1 exhibits ferrimagnetic behavior. The electrical conductivity measurements reveal that 1 behaves as a proton conductor.     

Ligand field-tuned single-molecule magnet behaviour of 2p-4f complexes

Three new 2p-4f complexes of [Ln(acac)(3)(NIT-2Py)]·0.5NIT-2Py [Ln(III) = Gd(1), Dy(2)] and [Dy(tfa)(3)(NIT-2Py)]·0.5C(7)H(16) (3) (NIT-2Py = 2-(2'-pyridyl)- 4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide; acac = acetylacetonate and tfa = trifluoroacetylacetonate) have been synthesized, and structurally and magnetically characterized. The X-ray structural analysis exhibits that the three complexes show similar mononuclear structures, in which NIT-2Py radical chelates the Ln(III) ion through the oxygen atom of the NO group and the nitrogen atom from the pyridine ring. The static magnetic measurements on the three complexes exhibit ferromagnetic coupling between the lanthanide ion and the radical. Compared to the silence of the out-of-phase ac susceptibility of complex 3, the magnetic relaxation behavior of complex 2 is observed, suggesting single-molecule magnet behavior. The different magnetic relaxation behaviours of 2 and 3 are due to their slightly different crystal structure around the Dy(III) ions. It was demonstrated that the spin dynamic can be modified by the careful adjustment of the ligand field around the metal center.     

Lanthanide complexes of macrocyclic polyoxovanadates by VO4 units: synthesis, characterization, and structure elucidation by X-ray crystallography and EXAFS spectroscopy

Reactions of a tetravanadate anion, [V(4)O(12)](4-), with a series of lanthanide(III) salts yield three types of lanthanide complexes of macrocyclic polyoxovanadates: (Et(4)N)(6)[Ln(III)V(9)O(27)] [Ln = Nd (1), Sm (2), Eu (3), Gd (4), Tb (5), Dy (6)], (Et(4)N)(5)[(H(2)O)Ho(III)(V(4)O(12))(2)] (7), and (Et(4)N)(7)[Ln(III)V(10)O(30)] [Ln = Er (8), Tm (9), Yb (10), Lu (11)]. Lanthanide complexes 1-11 are isolated and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS). Lanthanide complexes 1-6 are composed of a square-antiprism eight-coordinated Ln(III) center with a macrocyclic polyoxovanadate that is constructed from nine VO(4) tetrahedra through vertex sharing. The structure of 7 is composed of a seven-coordinated Ho(III) center, which exhibits a capped trigonal-prism coordination environment by the sandwiching of two cyclic tetravanadates with a capping H(2)O ligand. Lanthanide complexes 8-11 have a six-coordinated Ln(III) center with a 10-membered vanadate ligand. The structural trend to adopt a larger coordination number for a larger lanthanide ion among the three types of structures is accompanied by a change in the vanadate ring sizes. These lanthanide complexes are examined by EXAFS spectroscopies on lanthanide L(III) absorption edges, and the EXAFS oscillations of each of the samples in the solid state and in acetonitrile are identical. The Ln-O and Ln···V bond lengths obtained from fits of the EXAFS data are consistent with the data from the single-crystal X-ray studies, reflecting retention of the structures in acetonitrile.     

Enantiopure sandwich-type nonanuclear Ln(III)3Mn(III)6 clusters

Three enantiopure isostructural sandwich-type clusters, Ln(III)(3)Mn(III)(6) (Ln = Dy (1), Tb (2) and Gd (3)) have been synthesized through reactions of a chiral Schiff-base ligand ((S,E)-4-(2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)-2-hydroxybutanoic acid, H(3)L) with manganese and lanthanide ions, showing intramolecular antiferromagnetic interaction.     

New lanthanide hybrid as clustered infinite nanotunnel with 3D Ln-O-Ln framework and (3,4)-connected net

A series of new lanthanide hybrids [Ln3(mu-OH)4 (2,5-pydc)(2,5-Hpydc)3(H2O)4]n (Ln = Gd (1), Dy (2), Er (3), Eu (4), Sm (5), Yb (6), Y (7); 2,5-pydc=pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylate), as clustered lanthanide oxide ring tunnels with helical dodecahedral chains and fully 3D Ln-O-Ln connectivity, has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized. The inorganic skeleton of the hybrid can be specified by the Schl?fli symbol (6210)2 (64102) as a single 3D (3,4)-connected net. The luminescence properties have been studied, and the results showed that the Dy(III) (2) and Eu(III) (4) complexes exhibited sensitized luminescence in the visible region. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1-6 showed that the complexes 1-3 are nearly paramagnets, whereas the depopulation of the Stark levels in complexes 4-6 leads to a continuous decrease in mu(eff) when the sample is cooled from 300 to 2 K.     

Contribution of spin and anisotropy to single molecule magnet behavior in a family of bell-shaped Mn11Ln2 coordination clusters

The synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of a family of isostructural "bell-shaped" heterometallic coordination clusters [Mn(III)(9)Mn(II)(2)La(III)(2)(μ(4)-O)(7)(μ(3)-O)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(piv)(10.8)(O(2)CC(4)H(3)O)(6.2)(NO(3))(2)(OH(2))(1.5)(MeCN)(0.5)]·12CH(3)CN·2H(2)O (1) and [Mn(III)(9)Mn(II)(2)Ln(2)(μ(4)-O)(7)(μ (3)-O)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(piv)(10.6)(O(2)CC(4)H(3)O)(6.4)(NO(3))(2)(OH(2))]·nCH(3)CN·H(2)O (Ln = Pr(III), n = 8 (2); Ln = Nd(III), n = 10 (3); Ln = Eu(III), n = 17 (4); Ln = Gd(III), n = 13 (5); piv = pivalate) are reported. The complexes were obtained from the reaction of [Mn(III)(2)Mn(II)(4)O(2)(piv)(10)(4-Me-py)(2.5)(pivH)(1.5)] and Ln(NO(3))(3)·6H(2)O in the presence of 2-furan-carboxylic acid (C(4)H(3)OCOOH) in CH(3)CN. Compounds 1-5 are isomorphous, crystallizing in the triclinic space group P1 with Z = 2. The Mn(III) and Mn(II) centers together form the shell of the bell, while the two Ln(III) centers can be regarded as the bell's clapper. The magnetic properties of 1-4 reveal dominant antiferromagnetic interactions between the magnetic centers leading to small spin ground states; while those of 5 indicate similar antiferromagnetic interactions between the manganese ions but with unusually strong ferromagnetic interactions between the Gd(III) ions leading to a large overall spin ground state of S = 11-12. While ac and dc magnetic measurements confirmed that Mn(11)Gd(2) (5) is a single-molecule magnet (SMM) showing hysteresis loops at low temperatures, compounds 1-4 do not show any slow relaxation of the magnetization, indicating that the S = 7 spin of the ferromagnetic Gd(2) unit in 5 is a necessary contribution to its SMM behavior.