Heterometallic NiIILnIII coordination compounds incorporating dicyanamides: Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties.

• Three heterometallic Ni(II)-Ln(III) complexes (Ln = Ce, Pr, Sm) were synthesized via one pot reaction using the compartmental Schiff base ligand and dicyanamide (dca). • These compounds represent rare examples of 3d-4f magnetic materials derived from dca, with few reported instances. • These findings confirm the feasibility of synthesizing dca-bridged Ni(II)-Ln(III) complexes, despite the typically weak interaction between dca and lanthanide components. • This research not only broaden the structural diversity of 3d-4f complexes with dca bridging ligands but also provide a valuable experimental basis for further exploration of their magnetic properties. Three heterometallic Ni(II)-Ln(III) complexes (Ln = Ce, Pr, Sm), with the formulas [(Ni(μ -L)Ce(NO 3)(dca)(μ -dca)] n (1), [Ni(μ -L)Pr(NO 3) 2 (CH 3 OH)(dca)] (2) and [Ni(μ -L)Sm(NO 3)(NO 3 Cl)(μ -dca)] (3) were synthesized via one pot reaction using the compartmental ligand H 2 L and dicyanamide [H 2 L=6,6′-((1E,1′E)-(ethane-1,2-diylbis(azaneylylidene))bis(methaneylylidene))bis(2-methoxyphenol); dca= dicyanamide]. For complexes 1 – 3 , all Ni atoms exhibit tetra-coordination with square (D 4h) geometry, while all Ln (Ce, Pr and Sm) atoms display deca-coordination with sphenocorona (C 2v) geometry. Complex 1 displays a one-dimensional (1D) infinite chain structure, where [NiIICeIII] dinuclear units form tetranuclear [NiIICeIII] 2 clusters, bridged by dca ligands. Similarly, complex 3 exhibits a 1D chain structure, with [NiIISmIII] dinuclear units directly bridged by dca ligands. In contrast, complex 2 exists as isolated monomers, with dca acting as a terminal ligand. Additionally, the magnetic properties of these complexes were investigated and analyzed. These compounds represent rare examples of 3d-4f magnetic materials derived from dca, with few reported instances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]