Multiband orange-red photoluminescence of Eu ions in new “114” LnBaZn3GaO7 and LnBaZn3AlO7 oxides

A new series of gallozincates LnBaZn₃GaO₇ (Ln=La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Y) and new aluminozincates LnBaZn₃AlO₇ (Ln=Y, Eu, Dy) have been synthesized. Their structure refinements show that these phases belong to the “114” series, with hexagonal P6₃mc space group previously described for SmBaZn₃AlO₇. The photoluminescence study of these oxides shows that the Eu³⁺ activated LnBaZn₃MO₇ oxides with Ln=Y, La, Gd; and M=Al, Ga exhibit strong magnetic and electric dipole transitions (multiband emission) which is of interest for white light production. These results also confirm that the site occupied by Eu³⁺ is not strictly centrosymmetric. The electric dipole transition intensity is the highest in GdBaZn₃MO₇ [M=Al, Ga]: 0.05Eu³⁺ as compared with other Eu³⁺ activated compositions. This is due to the layer distortion around GdO₆ octahedra when compared with YO₆ and LaO₆ octahedra.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and vibrational spectra of KLn(SO4)2·H2O (Ln=La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy)

The potassium lanthanide double sulphates KLn(SO₄)₂·H₂O (Ln=La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy) were obtained by evaporation of aqueous reaction mixtures of rare earth (III) sulphates and potassium thiocyanate at 298 K. X-ray single-crystal investigations show that KLn(SO₄)₂·H₂O (Ln=Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy) crystallise monoclinically (Ln=Sm: P2₁/c, Z=4, a=10.047(1), b=8.4555(1), c=10.349(1) Å, wR2=0.060, R1=0.024, 945 reflections, 125 parameters) while KLa(SO₄)₂·H₂O adopts space group P3₂21 (Z=3, a=7.1490(5), c=13.2439(12) Å, wR2=0.038, R1=0.017, 695 reflections, 65 parameters). The coordination environment of the lanthanide ions in KLn(SO₄)₂·H₂O is different in the case of the Nd/Sm/Gd and the Eu/Dy compounds, respectively. In the first case the Ln atoms are nine-fold coordinated in contrast to the latter where the Ln ions are eight-fold coordinated by oxygen atoms. The vibrational spectra of KLn(SO₄)₂·H₂O and the UV-vis reflection spectra of KEu(SO₄)₂·H₂O and KNd(SO₄)₂·H₂O are also reported.     

Magnetic properties of orthorhombic fluorite-related oxides Ln3SbO7 (Ln=rare earths)

Ternary rare earth antimonates Ln₃SbO₇ (Ln=rare earths) were prepared and their structures were determined by X-ray diffraction measurements. They crystallize in an orthorhombic superstructure of cubic fluorite (space group Cmcm for Ln=La, Pr, Nd; C222₁ for Ln=Nd-Lu), in which Ln³⁺ ions occupy two different crystallographic sites (the 8-coordinated and 7-coordinated sites). Their magnetic properties were characterized by magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements from 1.8 to 400 K. The Ln₃SbO₇ (Ln=Nd, Gd-Ho) compounds show an antiferromagnetic transition at 2.2-3.2 K. Sm₃SbO₇ and Eu₃SbO₇ show van Vleck paramagnetism. Measurements of the specific heat down to 0.4 K for Gd₃SbO₇ and the analysis of the magnetic specific heat indicate that the antiferromagnetic ordering of the 8-coordinated Gd ions occur at 2.6 K, and the 7-coordinated Gd ions order at a furthermore low temperature.     

Eu luminescence in La5Si2BO13 with apatite related structure and magnetic studies in Ln5Si2BO13 (Ln=Gd, Dy)

Eu³⁺ photoluminescence is studied in La₅Si₂BO₁₃ with apatite related structure. La_5−xEu_xSi₂BO₁₃ [x=0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 2.0] compositions are synthesized. The emission results shows that Eu³⁺ ions occupy two different cationic sites viz., La(1) and La(2). The increase in the intensity of ⁵D₀-⁷F₀ line with increasing Eu³⁺ content shows the preferential occupancy of Eu³⁺ in La(2) site due to the existence of short La(2)-O(4) (free oxide ion) bond. The observation of antiferromagnetic interactions in Gd and Dy analogues supports the structural features elucidates from photoluminescence studies.     

Magnetic properties of lanthanide rhenium oxides Ln3ReO7 (Ln=Sm, Eu, Ho)

Ternary lanthanide rhenium oxides Ln₃ReO₇ (Ln=Sm, Eu, Ho) were prepared and their structures were determined by X-ray diffraction measurements. They crystallize in an orthorhombic superstructure of cubic fluorite (space group Cmcm for Ln=Sm, Eu; C222₁ for Ln=Ho). The magnetic properties were characterized by magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements from 1.8 to 400 K. The Sm₃ReO₇ shows an antiferromagnetic transition at 1.9 K. The Eu₃ReO₇ indicates a magnetic anomaly at 12 K. On the other hand, the results of the specific heat measurements indicate that both Sm₃ReO₇ and Eu₃ReO₇ undergo a structure transition at 270 and 350 K, respectively. The Ho₃ReO₇ is paramagnetic down to 1.8 K.     

Systems Ln-Fe-O (Ln=Eu, Gd): thermodynamic properties of ternary oxides using solid-state electrochemical cells

The standard molar Gibbs energies of formation of LnFeO₃(s) and Ln₃Fe₅O₁₂(s) where Ln=Eu and Gd have been determined using solid-state electrochemical technique employing different solid electrolytes. The reversible e.m.f.s of the following solid-state electrochemical cells have been measured in the temperature range from 1050 to 1255 K.Cell (I): (−)Pt / {LnFeO₃(s)+Ln₂O₃(s)+Fe(s)} // YDT/CSZ // {Fe(s)+Fe_0.95O(s)} / Pt(+);Cell (II): (−)Pt/{Fe(s)+Fe_0.95O(s)}//CSZ//{LnFeO₃(s)+Ln₃Fe₅O₁₂(s)+Fe₃O₄(s)}/Pt(+);Cell (III): (−)Pt/{LnFeO₃(s)+Ln₃Fe₅O₁₂(s)+Fe₃O₄(s)}//YSZ//{Ni(s)+NiO(s)}/Pt(+);andCell(IV):(−)Pt/{Fe(s)+Fe_0.95O(s)}//YDT/CSZ//{LnFeO₃(s)+Ln₃Fe₅O₁₂(s)+Fe₃O₄(s)}/Pt(+).The oxygen chemical potentials corresponding to the three-phase equilibria involving the ternary oxides have been computed from the e.m.f. data. The standard Gibbs energies of formation of solid EuFeO₃, Eu₃Fe₅O₁₂, GdFeO₃ and Gd₃Fe₅O₁₂ calculated by the least-squares regression analysis of the data obtained in the present study are given byΔ_fG°_m(EuFeO₃, s) /kJ mol⁻¹ (± 3.2)=−1265.5+0.2687(T/K)   (1050 ? T/K ? 1570),Δ_fG°_m(Eu₃Fe₅O₁₂, s)/kJ mol⁻¹ (± 3.5)=−4626.2+1.0474(T/K)   (1050 ? T/K ? 1255),Δ_fG°_m(GdFeO₃, s) /kJ mol⁻¹ (± 3.2)=−1342.5+0.2539(T/K)   (1050 ? T/K ? 1570),andΔ_fG°_m(Gd₃Fe₅O₁₂, s)/kJ·mol⁻¹ (± 3.5)=−4856.0+1.0021(T/K)   (1050 ? T/K ? 1255).The uncertainty estimates for Δ_fG°_m include the standard deviation in the e.m.f. and uncertainty in the data taken from the literature. Based on the thermodynamic information, oxygen potential diagrams for the systems Eu-Fe-O and Gd-Fe-O and chemical potential diagrams for the system Gd-Fe-O were computed at 1250 K.     

Synthesis and characterization of monodisperse spherical SiO2@RE2O3 (RE=rare earth elements) and SiO2@Gd2O3:Ln (Ln=Eu, Tb, Dy, Sm, Er, Ho) particles with core-shell structure

Spherical SiO₂ particles have been coated with rare earth oxide layers by a Pechini sol-gel process, leading to the formation of core-shell structured SiO₂@RE₂O₃ (RE=rare earth elements) and SiO₂@Gd₂O₃:Ln³⁺ (Ln=Eu, Tb, Dy, Sm, Er, Ho) particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL), and cathodoluminescence spectra as well as lifetimes were used to characterize the resulting SiO₂@RE₂O₃ (RE=rare earth elements) and SiO₂@Gd₂O₃:Ln³⁺ (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺, Sm³⁺, Er³⁺, Ho³⁺) samples. The obtained core-shell phosphors have perfect spherical shape with narrow size distribution (average size ca. 380 nm), smooth surface and non-agglomeration. The thickness of shells could be easily controlled by changing the number of deposition cycles (40 nm for two deposition cycles). Under the excitation of ultraviolet, the Ln³⁺ ion mainly shows its characteristic emissions in the core-shell particles from Gd₂O₃:Ln³⁺ (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Sm³⁺, Dy³⁺, Er³⁺, Ho³⁺) shells.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and optical investigation of the new phosphates: Na7Mg13Ln(PO4)12 (Ln=La, Eu)

Two new isostructural rare earth phosphates Na₇Mg₁₃Ln(PO₄)₁₂ (Ln=La, Eu) have been synthesized and investigated by X-ray diffraction and optical measurements. They crystallize in the orthorhombic system with the Cmc2₁ space group (Z=4). The crystal structure exhibits a new type of framework built up from LnO₈ (Ln=La, Eu), MO₆ (M=0.5Mg+0.5Na) and MgO_x (x=5, 6) polyhedra and PO₄ tetrahedra linked by common corner, edge or face. It can be described in terms of [Mg₄MP₄O₂₂]_∞ layers stacked along the a direction. These layers are interconnected by [Mg₄LnP₄O₃₆]_∞ undulating chains spreading along the b direction. This framework delimits 6 distinct cavities occupied by Na⁺ cations. The results of the optical study of Na₇Mg₁₃La_1−xEu_x(PO₄)₁₂ (x=0, 0.02, 0.1, 1) reveal the presence of two different Eu³⁺ ion environments whereas the X-ray study predicts the existence of only one Eu site. This difference can be explained by the possible presence of the europium element in the sodium sites with small occupancies which cannot be detected by the X-ray structural determination.     

Magnetic properties of EuLn2O4 (Ln=rare earths)

Ternary rare earth oxides EuLn₂O₄ (Ln=Gd, Dy-Lu) were prepared. They crystallized in an orthorhombic CaFe₂O₄-type structure with space group Pnma. ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopic measurements show that the Eu ions are in the divalent state. All these compounds show an antiferromagnetic transition at 4.2-6.3 K. From the positive Weiss constant and the saturation of magnetization for EuLu₂O₄, it is considered that ferromagnetic chains of Eu²⁺ are aligned along the b-axis of the orthorhombic unit cell, with neighboring Eu²⁺ chains antiparallel. When Ln=Gd-Tm, ferromagnetically aligned Eu²⁺ ions interact with the Ln³⁺ ions, which would overcome the magnetic frustration of triangularly aligned Ln³⁺ ions and the EuLn₂O₄ compounds show a simple antiferromagnetic behavior.     

A systematic study on crystal structure and magnetic properties of Ln3GaO6 (Ln=Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er)

The crystal structures of a series of compounds with the composition Ln₃GaO₆(Ln=Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) synthesized by solid-state reaction at 1400°C are investigated. X-ray diffraction shows that Ln₃GaO₆ has a non-centrosymmetric orthorhombic structure (space group Cmc2₁). Lattice parameters a,b,c and cell volume and the average distances between Ln(1)-O, Ln(2)-O of these compounds decrease with the decreasing of the radii of trivalent Ln ions, which accord with the expected lanthanide contraction behavior. There are two sites of seven-fold coordination for Ln atoms with oxygens, and Ga atoms are in oxygen tetrahedra which are distorted and elongated along the a-axis. Magnetization measurements indicate that the susceptibility χ changes with temperature in Curie-type manner.     

Identification of charge transfer (CT) transition in (Gd,Y)BO3:Eu phosphor under 100-300 nm

A broad excitation band in an excitation spectrum of (Gd,Y)BO₃:Eu was observed in the VUV region. It could be considered that this band was composed of two bands at about 160 and 166 nm. The preceding band was assigned to the BO₃ group absorption. The later one at about 166 nm could be assigned to the charge transfer (CT) transition of Gd³⁺-O²⁻. Such an assignment was deduced from the result that broadbands at around 170 nm for GdAlO₃:Eu, and at 183 nm for Gd₂SiO₅:Eu are due to the CT transition of Gd³⁺-O²⁻; this was also identified by CaZr (BO₃)₂:Eu. Since there are no Gd³⁺ ions in it; a weak band in the VUV region in the excitation spectrum of Ca_0.95ZrEu_0.05(BO₃)₂ was observed. The excitation spectra were overlapped between the CT transition of Gd³⁺-O²⁻ and BO₃ group absorption, and it caused the emission of Eu³⁺ effectively in the trivalent europium-doped (Gd,Y)BO₃ host lattice under 147 nm excitation. Intense broad excitation bands were observed at about 155 nm for YBO₃:Eu and at about 153 nm for YAlO₃:Eu; it could be attributed to the CT transition between Y³⁺ and O²⁻. As a result, under the xenon discharge (147 nm) excitation, the intense emission of Eu³⁺ in GdBO₃ was found to be more convenient just because of the partial substitution of Y³⁺ for Gd³⁺.     

The extended chain compounds Ln12(C2)3I17 (Ln=Pr, Nd, Gd, Dy): Synthesis, structure and physical properties

The title compounds are obtained in high yield from stoichiometric mixtures of Ln, LnI₃ and graphite, heated at 900-950 °C in welded Ta containers. The crystal structures of new Pr and Nd phases determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction are related to those of other Ln₁₂(C₂)₃I₁₇-type compounds (C 2/c, a=19.610(1) and 19.574(4) Å, b=12.406(2) and 12.393(3) Å, c=19.062(5) and 19.003(5) Å, β=90.45(3)° and 90.41(3)°, for Pr₁₂(C₂)₃I₁₇ and Nd₁₂(C₂)₃I₁₇, respectively). All compounds contain infinite zigzag chains of C₂-centered metal atom octahedra condensed by edge-sharing into the [tcc]_∞ sequence (c=cis, t=trans) and surrounded by edge-bridging iodine atoms as well as by apical iodine atoms that bridge between chains. The polycrystalline Gd₁₂(C₂)₃I₁₇ sample exhibits semiconducting thermal behavior which is consistent with an ionic formulation (Ln³⁺)₁₂(C₂^6-)₃(I⁻)₁₇(e⁻) under the assumption that one extra electron is localized in metal-metal bonding. The magnetization measurements on Nd₁₂(C₂)₃I₁₇, Gd₁₂(C₂)₃I₁₇ and Dy₁₂(C₂)₃I₁₇ indicate the coexistence of competing magnetic interactions leading to spin freezing at T_f=5 K for the Gd phase. The Nd and Dy compounds order antiferromagnetically at T_N=25 and 29 K, respectively. For Dy₁₂(C₂)₃I₁₇, a metamagnetic transition is observed at a critical magnetic field H≈25 kOe.     

A new promising phosphor, Na3La2(BO3)3:Ln (Ln=Eu, Tb)

We present an efficient way to search a host for ultraviolet (UV) phosphor from UV nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. With the guidance, Na₃La₂(BO₃)₃ (NLBO), as a promising NLO material with a broad transparency range and high damage threshold, was adopted as a host material for the first time. The lanthanide ions (Tb³⁺ and Eu³⁺)-doped NLBO phosphors have been synthesized by solid-state reaction. Luminescent properties of the Ln-doped (Ln=Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺) sodium lanthanum borate were investigated under UV ray excitation. The emission spectrum was employed to probe the local environments of Eu³⁺ ions in NLBO crystal. For red phosphor, NLBO:Eu, the measured dominating emission peak was at 613 nm, which is attributed to ⁵D₀-⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺. The luminescence indicates that the local symmetry of Eu³⁺ in NLBO crystal lattice has no inversion center. Optimum Eu³⁺ concentration of NLBO:Eu³⁺ under UV excitation with 395 nm wavelength is about 30 mol%. The green phosphor, NLBO:Tb, showed bright green emission at 543 with 252 nm excited light. The measured concentration quenching curve demonstrated that the maximum concentration of Tb³⁺ in NLBO was about 20%. The luminescence mechanism of Ln-doped NLBO (Tb³⁺ and Eu³⁺) was analyzed. The relative high quenching concentration was also discussed.     

Rapid synthesis of ultrafine K2Ln2Ti3O10 (Ln=La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy) series and its photoactivity

Ultrafine-layered lanthanon titanates K₂Ln₂Ti₃O₁₀ (Ln=La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy) were fabricated at relatively low temperature by a stearic acid method (SAM). The obtained products were characterized by FT-IR, X-ray diffractometer, DTA-TG, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and BET experiments. The photocatalytic activity of the obtained products was studied and was compared with that of solid-state reaction (SSR) using photodecomposition of methyl orange as the model system. Results showed that by using SAM, the fabricating temperature was lowered (from 1100 to 800 °C) and the reacting time was shortened (from at least 11-2 h). Comparing with the product of traditional SSR, the particle size of K₂Ln₂Ti₃O₁₀ synthesized by SAM is smaller, BET surface area is higher (more than 16.97 m²/g), and photoreactivity is better. It was very interesting to find the difference in d(002) of obtained K₂Ln₂Ti₃O₁₀ for Ln=La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy separately and the photoactivity of K₂Ln₂Ti₃O₁₀ is strongly dependent on lanthanide, increasing in the sequence of La<Sm<Nd<Gd <Dy. A possible reason was put forward.     

Hexagonal perovskite-intergrowth manganates: Ln2Ca2MnO7 (Ln=La, Nd and Sm)

Two structures, all consisting of alternative stacking of hexagonal perovskite layer and graphite-like Ca₂O layer, were identified in Ln₂Ca₂MnO₇ systems (Ln=La, Nd and Sm). La₂Ca₂MnO₇ (1), crystallizing in the space group with the lattice constants a=5.62231(7)  Å and c=17.3192(4) Å, contains almost ideal close packed [LnO₃] arrays. While for the smaller rare earth cations, e.g., Nd₂Ca₂MnO₇ (2) and Sm₂Ca₂MnO₇ (3), the structure distorts to large unit cell (a′=2a and c′=c). Study of the substituted systems, LnLn′Ca₂MnO₇ (Ln or Ln′=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd) and La_2−xSm_xCa₂MnO₇, shows a phase transformation from (1) to (2) at certain value of cation size. The MnO₆ octahedra in these compounds are isolated, thus the magnetic property is mainly paramagnetic.     

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of fluorite-related oxides Ln3NbO7 (Ln=lanthanides)

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of the ternary oxides Ln₃NbO₇ (Ln=La, Pr, Nd, Sm-Lu) are reported. Their powder X-ray diffraction measurements and Rietveld analyzes show that they have the fluorite-related structures with space group Pnma (Ln=La, Pr, Nd), C222₁ (Ln=Sm-Tb), or Fm-3m (Ln=Dy-Lu). Magnetic susceptibility measurements were carried out from 1.8 to 400 K. The Ln₃NbO₇ compounds for Ln=Pr, Gd, Dy-Yb show Curie-Weiss paramagnetic behavior, and Sm₃NbO₇ and Eu₃NbO₇ show van Vleck paramagnetism. On the other hand, two magnetic anomalies were observed for both Nd₃NbO₇ (0.6 and 2.7 K) and Tb₃NbO₇ (2.0 and 3.2 K). From the results of specific heat measurements, it was found that these anomalies are due to the antiferromagnetic ordering of Ln ions in two different crystallographic sites (the 8-coordinated and 7-coordinated sites).     

A new series of lanthanoid containing Keggin-type germanotungstates with acetate chelators: [{Ln(CH3COO)GeW11O39(H2O)}2] {Ln=Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb}

A series of head-on complexes of lanthanoid containing germanotungstates was isolated from a one pot reaction in an acetate buffer at pH 4.5. This convenient approach brought forward the [{Ln(CH₃COO)GeW₁₁O₃₉(H₂O)}₂]¹²⁻ (Ln=Eu^III, Gd^III, Tb^III, Dy^III, Ho^III, Er^III, Tm^III, and Yb^III) family with acetate chelators in the rarely observed μ₂: η²-η¹ mode. All compounds were structurally characterized using various solid state analytics, such as single crystal X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The isostructural polyanions crystallize in the monoclinic system (S.G. P2₁/c). Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed on the Gd^III-complex which exhibits near perfect Curie-type behavior.     

Crystal structures of lanthanide and zirconium phosphates with general formula Ln0.33Zr2(PO4)3, where Ln=Ce, Eu, Yb

Crystal structures of synthetic phosphates Ce_0.33Zr₂(PO₄)₃, Eu_0.33Zr₂(PO₄)₃ and Yb_0.33Zr₂(PO₄)₃ have been refined by Rietveld method using powder diffraction data. Unit cell parameters: a=8.7419 (4), c=23.128 (2) Å; a=8.7659 (1), c=22.822 (1) Å; a=8.8078 (4), c=22.485 (3) Å, respectively; Z=6. Values of final R-factors in isotropic approximation: R_wp=4.00, R_wp=3.33, R_wp=4.12%, respectively. New space group P3¯c has been established for the compounds with general formula Ln_0.33Zr₂(PO₄)₃, where Ln=Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Y. It has been confirmed that the synthetic phosphates with general formula Ln_0.33Zr₂(PO₄)₃ belong to the NZP (sodium zirconium phosphate) structure type.     

Magnetic and Calorimetric Studies on One-Dimensional Ln3RuO7(Ln=Pr, Gd)

Magnetic and calorimetric properties of Ln₃RuO₇ (Ln=Pr, Gd) have been investigated. Magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements indicate that both Pr₃RuO₇ and Gd₃RuO₇ compounds show magnetic transitions at 55 K and 15 K, respectively. In addition, a clear structural phase transition has been found at 382 K for Gd₃RuO₇ from the specific heat measurements. From the temperature dependence of the magnetic specific heat, the magnetic entropy change is estimated and the magnetic ground states of each ion are determined.     

CoLn dinuclear complexes (Ln = Gd,Tb, Dy,Ho and Er) as platforms for 1,5-dicyanamide-bridged tetranuclear Co2Ln2 complexes: A magneto-structural and theoretical study

Five acetate-diphenoxo triply-bridged Co^II-Ln^III complexes (Ln^III = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) of formula [Co(μ-L)(μ-Ac)Ln(NO₃)₂] and two diphenoxo doubly-bridged Co^II-Ln^III complexes (Ln^III = Gd, Tb) of formula [Co(H₂O)(μ-L)Ln(NO₃)₃]·S (S = H₂O or MeOH), were prepared in one pot reaction from the compartmental ligand N,N′,N′′-trimethyl-N,N′′-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-methylbenzyl)diethylene triamine (H₂L). The diphenoxo doubly-bridged Co^II-Ln^III complexes were used as platforms to obtain 1,5-dicyanamide-bridged tetranuclear Co^II-Ln^III complexes (Ln^III = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er). All exhibit ferromagnetic interactions between the Co^II and Ln^III ions and in the case of the Gd^III complexes, the J_CoGd were estimated to be ∼+0.7 cm⁻¹. Compound 3 exhibits slow relaxation of the magnetization.