Dimeric hexakis(4-methylbenzoato)-bis(1,10-phenanthroline)didysprosium(III)

The title compound, [Dy2(C8H7O2)6(C12H8N2)2], forms binuclear complexes, viz. di-mu-4-methylbenzoato-kappa4O:O'-bis[bis(4-methylbenzoato-kappa2O,O')(1,10-phenanthroline-kappa2N,N')dysprosium(III)] tetra-mu-4-methylbenzoato-kappa8O:O'-bis[(4-methylbenzoato-kappa2O,O')(1,10-phenanthroline-kappa2N,N')dysprosium(III)]. There are two independent binuclear complexes in the asymmetric unit, both of which are centrosymmetric. In one, the Dy(III) ions are linked by two bridging 4-methylbenzoate groups, while in the other, the Dy(III) ions are linked by four bridging 4-methylbenzoate groups. The remaining 4-methylbenzoate groups and 1,10-phenanthroline units coordinate to just one metal ion in bidentate modes.