Synthesis and SMM behaviour of trinuclear versus dinuclear 3d–5f uranyl(v)–cobalt(ii) cation–cation complexes

Abstract

Trinuclear versus dinuclear heterodimetallic U^VO₂⁺⋯Co²⁺ complexes were selectively assembled via a cation–cation interaction by tuning the ligand. The trimeric complex 2, with a linear [Co–OUO–Co] core, exhibits magnetic exchange and slow relaxation with a reversal barrier of 30.5 ± 0.9 K providing the first example of a U–Co exchange-coupled SMM.