In search for mixed transition metal/lanthanide single-molecule magnets: Synthetic routes to NiII/TbIII and NiII/DyIII clusters featuring a 2-pyridyl oximate ligand

Employing the mononuclear complex [Ni{(py)C(Me)NO}(2){(py)C(Me)NOH}] (1) as 'ligand' [(py)C(Me)NOH = methyl 2-pyridyl ketone oxime[, the use of the 'metal complexes as ligands' approach has led to the synthesis of the mixed Ni-II/Ln(III) complexes [NiTb{(py)C(Me)NO}(2)(NO3)(3){(py)C(Me)NOH}] (2), [Ni(2)Ln(2){(py)C(Me)NO}(6)(NO3)(4)] (Ln=Dy, 3; Ln=Tb, 4) and [Ni2Tb{(py)C(Me)NO}(6)](NO3) (5). The structures of 2, 3, and 5, and the magnetic properties of 2 and 5 are briefly discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.