One-dimensional salen-type heterospin trimetallic (3d–4f–3d′) chain-like coordination polymers: Syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties

Three one-dimensional (1D) heterospin trimetallic chain-like polymers [{LCu(H2O)}Ln(MeOH)(H2O)2{(μ-CN)2Fe(CN)4}]·2H2O (1, Ln = La; 2, Ln = Nd; 3, Ln = Gd) were prepared by substitution of the nitrato ligands in [LCuLn] complexes with [Fe(CN)6]3− ions (H2L = N,N′-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)propane-1,2-diamine). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the methyl on the salen-type ligand impeded the connection between cyanide groups and Cu(II) ions efficiently. Consequently, three novel one-dimensional (1D) trimetallic chain-like polymers were obtained with the linker [Fe(CN)6]3− ions interacting only with the lanthanide ions. The magnetic investigation for 3 indicated a ferrimagnetic chain may form.