A tridecanuclear {ZnGd12} nanoscopic cluster exhibiting large magnetocaloric effect

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the central core of the cluster {ZnGd12} is unprecedented and composed of a beautiful structure built by two monocapped triangular prisms [ZnGd6] sharing the ZnII vertex. Magnetic studies reveal that the magnetic field entropy of {ZnGd12} in a magnetic field of 7 T–2 T is 30.79 J kg−1 K−1. [Display omitted] •A nanoscopic cluster {ZnGd12} have been synthesized based on ligand H2L.•The cluster {ZnGd12} has two monocapped triangular prisms [ZnGd6] sharing ZnII vertices.•The −ΔSm of {ZnGd12} is 30.79 J kg−1 K−1. A novel tridecanuclear nanoscopic cluster {ZnGd12} have been synthesized by using the Schiff-base ligand, 2-methoxy-6-[(2-methylindole-2-carboxyl-1-ylidene) methyl]phenol (H2L), with zinc chloride and gadolinium nitrate in the presence of triethylamine as deprotonation reagent. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the central core of the cluster {ZnGd12} is unprecedented and composed of a beautiful structure built by two monocapped triangular prisms [ZnGd6] sharing the ZnII vertex. Magnetic studies reveal that {ZnGd12} shows promise as a low-temperature magnetic refrigerant with the magnetic field entropy of 30.79 J kg−1 K−1 at a magnetic field of 7 T–2 T.