J. Am. Chem. Soc., 129 (22), 7016 -7017, 2007. 10.1021/ja0726198 S0002-7863(07)02619-4
Web Release Date: May 11, 2007

Copyright © 2007 American Chemical Society

A Keplerate Magnetic Cluster Featuring an Icosidodecahedron of Ni(II) Ions Encapsulating a Dodecahedron of La(III) Ions

Xiang-Jian Kong, Yan-Ping Ren, La-Sheng Long,* Zhiping Zheng,* Rong-Bin Huang, and Lan-Sun Zheng

State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surface and Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China

lslong@jingxian.xmu.edu.cn; zhiping@u.arizona.edu

Received April 15, 2007

Abstract:

A structurally fascinating Keplerate magnetic cluster featuring an icosidodecahedron of Ni(II) ions encapsulating a dodecahedron of La(III) ions was assembled under hydrothermal conditions starting with La(NO3)3, Ni(NO3)2, and iminodiacetic acid. The cage-like arrangement of the two distinct sets of metal ions manifests the beauty of symmetry as both ideally possess icosahedral (Ih) symmetry, the highest possible symmetry for molecules. The cluster constitutes a framework of Ni(II) centers with an unusual spin topology. Interesting ferromagnetic interactions between the Ni(II) ions upon lowering the temperature from 300 to 2 K were revealed.

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