Heterometallic trinuclear {CoLn(III)} (Ln = Gd, Tb, Ho and Er) complexes in a bent geometry. Field-induced single-ion magnetic behavior of the Er(III) and Tb(III) analogues.

Through the use of a multi-site compartmental ligand, 2-methoxy-6-[{2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)ethylimino}methyl]phenol (LH3), the family of heterometallic, trinuclear complexes of the formula [CoLn(L)2(μ-O2CCH3)2(H2O)3]·NO3·xMeOH·yH2O has been expanded beyond Ln = Dy(III) to include Gd(III) (), Tb(III) (), Ho(III) () and Er(III) () for , and (x = 1; y = 1) and for (x = 0; y = 2). The metallic core of these complexes consists of a (Co(III)-Ln(III)-Co(III)) motif bridged in a bent geometry resulting in six-coordinated distorted Co(III) octahedra and nine-coordinated Ln(III) monocapped square-antiprisms. The magnetic characterization of these compounds reveals the erbium and terbium analogues to display a field induced single-ion magnetic behavior similar to the dysprosium analogue but at lower temperatures. The energy barrier for the reversal of the magnetization of the CoTb(III) analogue is Ueff ≥ 15.6(4) K, while for the CoEr(III) analogue Ueff ≥ 9.9(8) K. The magnetic properties are discussed in terms of distortions of the 4f electron cloud.