A series of zero-dimensional Co(II)-Ln(III) heterometallic complexes derived from 2,3-dichlorobenzoate and 2,2′-bipyridine: Syntheses, structures and magnetic properties

Eight isostructural zero-dimensional Co(II)-Ln(III) heterometallic complexes have been successfully synthesized and structurally characterized. Their magnetic properties have been investigated. [Display omitted] •Eight Co(II)-Ln(III) complexes have been synthesized and characterized.•The adjacent 0D molecules can be extended into a 2D supramolecular network.•Their magnetic properties have been studied. Eight 3d-4f heterometallic complexes were successfully yielded by the solvothermal reactions of Ln(NO3)3·nH2O, Co(NO3)2·6H2O, 2,3-dichlorobenzoic acid (2,3-HDCB), NaOH and 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bpy), namely [Ln2Co2(2,3-DCB)10(2,2′-bpy)2] [Ln = Nd (1), Sm (2), Eu (3), Gd (4), Tb (5), Dy (6), Er (7) and Yb (8)]. These eight complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectrum, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). They show isomorphous zero-dimensional (0D) linear tetranuclear cluster structures. Their magnetic properties were investigated.