Gd26 Cluster Consisting of Distorted Cubane Cores: Synthesis, Structure and Heterogeneous Catalytic Epoxidation of Olefins

A new Gd-26 cluster based 3D framework, {[Gd-26(mu(6)-CO3)(9)-(NIC)(32)(mu(3)-OH)(26)](NO3)(2)center dot 3(H2O)}(n) (1) (NIC = nicotinato anion) has been prepared through hydrothermal synthesis and characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The Gd-26 clusters are formed by the combination of five distorted cubane cores attached to each other through six Gd3+ ions. The Gd-26 clusters are then connected to each other by organic linkers forming a 3D framework. The dimensions of the spherical cluster shell including the organic ligands is around 2.32(4) nm. The compound catalyses the heterogeneous epoxidation of olefinic substrates including alpha, beta-unsaturated ketones.