Anion-Triggered Modulation of Structure and Magnetic Properties of Copper(I)-Dysprosium(III) Complexes Derived from 1-Hydroxybenzotriazolate

Solvothermal reaction of CuX (X = Cl, Br, I) and Dy(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O with a polydentate 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HL) ligand afforded three Cu-I-Dy-III heterometallic complexes formulated as [Cu3Dy(L)(6)](n) (1), [Cu5DyBr(L)(7)(H2O)(2)](n) (2), and [Cu6DyI3(L)(6)](n) (3). Although identical stoichiometric ratios of the reactants were used in the formation of 1-3, their structures display clear diversity, which is indicative of anion-triggered structural modulation. Complex 1 shows a 2D layer with Cu-I chains as building units, which are further connected by Dy-III to lead to the final structure. Complex 2 displays a double parallel Dy-III-Cu-I chain bridged by L ligands. Complex 3 features a 2D sheet built from the alternating arrangement of Dy-2 and (Cu6I3)-I-I units. Magnetic analyses indicate that complex 3 exhibits single-molecule magnet like behavior at low temperature.