Synthesis and characterization of a series of novel heptanuclear trigonal-prismatic polyhedra with different edge-ligands

Five novel heptanuclear trigonal-prismatic polyhedra, Na4PrNi6(Gly)9(mu 3-OH)3(H2O)6].(ClO4)7 (1), Na2PrNi6(Gly)8(mu 3-OH)3(mu 2-OH2)-(H2O)6].(ClO4)6.(H2O)2 (2), NaDyNi6(Gly)7(mu 3-OH)3(mu 2-OH2)2(H2O)6].(ClO4)6.H2O (3), SmNi6(Gly)6-(mu 3-OH)3Cl3(H2O)6].Cl3.(H2O)9 (4), and ErNi6(Gly)6(mu 3-OH)3Cl3(H2O)6].Cl3.(H2O)9 (5), were synthesized through self-assembly and characterized by X-ray structure analysis. Complex 1 crystallizes in the trigonal P3 space group (a = b = 18.1121(2), c = 11.987(0) A, and Z = 2). Complex 2 belongs to the triclinic P1 space group (a = 16.0145(3), b = 20.58650(10), c = 20.8452(3) A, alpha = 78.0590(10), beta = 67.9200(10), gamma = 68.1540(10) degrees, and Z = 4). Complex 3 belongs to the monoclinic P2(1)/m space group (a = 14.9863(3), b = 13.533, c = 15.6171(3) A, beta = 116.8970(10) degrees, and Z = 2). Complexes 4 and 5 are isomorphous (4: trigonal, P3; a = b = 11.8661(4), c = 18.2034(10) A, Z = 2; 5: a = b = 11.9001(5), c = 18.1229(11) A, Z = 2). A Ln3+ ion is in the center of the prism formed by six nickel atoms. It coordinates to nine oxygen atoms. Its coordination polyhedron may be best described as a tricapped trigonal prism. The five complexes all have a core of LnNi6(Gly)6-(mu 3-OH)3(H2O)6]6+ and were obtained through the edge-ligand exchange of the three mu 2-OH2 ligands of LnNi6(Gly)6-(mu 3-OH)3(H2O)6(mu 2-OH2)3]6+ partly or wholly by glycine or Cl-. Magnetic measurements reveal that 1 and 4 exhibit antiferromagnetic interaction, while 5 exhibits a ferromagnetic interaction.