Synthesis and magnetic characterization of Ln(III) complexes with 4,4′-bipyridine and crotonato as bridging ligands

The crystal structure and magnetic characterization of an isostructural series of general formula {[Ln(crot)3(H2O)(bpy)1/2]2}n (crot, crotonate (C4H5O2); bpy, 4,4′-bipyridine (C10H8N2); Ln, Nd, Gd, Ho, Er, Y) is presented. The ninefold Ln coordination polyhedra form dimeric entities that are connected throughout the bpy units into infinite polymeric chains. All (but the yttrium) reported compounds present a weak antiferromagnetic interaction connecting metal centres.