Organic-inorganic hybrids assembled by bis(undecatungstophosphate) lanthanates and dinuclear copper(II)-oxalate complexes

A series of organic-inorganic hybrid compounds, K2H7[{Ln(PW11O39)2}{Cu2(bpy)2(mu-ox)}].xH2O (Ln = La, x approximately = 18 (1); Ln = Pr, x approximately = 18(2); Ln = Eu, x approximately = 16(3); Ln = Gd, x approximately 22(4); Ln = Yb, x approximately = 19 (5); bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and ox = oxalate), have been isolated by the conventional solution method. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that compounds 1-5 are isomorphic and consist of one-dimensional chains, which are constructed by alternating bis(undecatungstophosphate) lanthanates [Ln(PW11O39)2](11-) and dinuclear copper(II)-oxalate complexes [Cu2(bpy)2(mu-ox)]2+.pi-pi interactions of the bpy ligands from adjacent chains lead to their three-dimensional structures. An analogue of potassium K2H9[{K(PW11O39)2}{Cu2(bpy)2(mu-ox)}1].approximately 20.5H2O(6) has also been obtained. The syntheses and structures of these compounds are reported here. Magnetic properties of 1, 2 and 3 are discussed as well. Attempts to crystallize similar compounds containing Co(II) and Ni(II) were unsuccessful.