Synthesis, molecular structure, and magnetic properties of a Cu2Gd complex

The compound [Gd(CuL)2(H2O)4][NO3]3·2H2O [H2L =N,N′-bis(3-amino-2,2-dimethylpropyl)-oxamide] was prepared and characterised by means of structural and magnetic measurements. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P21/c, with a= 11.358(5), b= 16.932(4), c= 23.625(2)Å, β= 103.47(3)°, and Z= 4. The structural unit consists of a trinuclear tripositive cation, three nitrate anions and two lattice water molecules. The central gadolinium and terminal copper metal ions are ferromagnetically coupled, J=–0.77 cm–1, while an antiferromagnetic coupling was detected between the terminal copper metal ions, J= 0.42 cm–1.