Synthetic strategies to {CoIII2LnIII} complexes based on 2-pyridyl oximes (Ln = lanthanide)

The designed 2:1 reaction of the mononuclear precursor (metalloligand) facial-tris(2-pyridinealdoxi-mato)cobalt(III) and dysprosium(III) sources has yielded the anticipated dicobalt(III)-dysposium(III) cluster, which has been fully characterized. This synthetic strategy can be extended to other lanthanide(III) ions and 2-pyridyl oximes. The mononuclear metalloligand fac-tris(2-pyridinealdoximato)cobalt(III) reacts with lanthanide(III) sources in a 2:1 molar ratio providing access to trinuclear {CoIII2LnIII} clusters under a strict synthetic control. [Display omitted] •Trinuclear dicobalt(III)/lanthanide(III) cationic clusters have been prepared and characterized.•A general synthetic strategy based on the “metal complexes as ligands” approach has been developed.•The isomer fac-tris(2-pyridinealdoximato)cobalt(III) has been employed as a mononuclear metalloligand.