Wheel-shaped nanoscale 3d-4f {Co16IILn24III} clusters (Ln = Dy and Gd)

Two unprecedented wheel-shaped nanoscale clusters {Co(16)(II)Ln(24)(III)} (Ln = Dy and Gd), with a diameter and a thickness of 3.0 nm and 2.0 nm, respectively, were obtained from the self-assembly of Co(NO3)(2), Ln(NO3)(3) and a pyridyl-functionalized beta-diketone ligand. Notably, the gadolinium species exhibited a relatively large magnetocaloric effect.