Ln₂(C₂O₄)(O₂CCH₂OH)₄ (Ln = Gd(III), Tb(III)): Unprecedented Interpenetrating 4,6-Connected Net Built on Unusual Rectangular and Distorted Hexagonal Lanthanide Nodes

Hydrothermal synthesis was used to prepare Ln2(C2O4)(O2CCH2OH)4 (Ln = Gd(III)/1 Tb(III)/2) from HCO2CH2OH and C2O42−, the latter being formed in situ from HCO2CH2OH. The new compounds crystallize with the same unique 2-fold interpenetrating 4,6-connected net described by (32·62·72)(34·42·64·75) topology, a topology that is based on a combination of highly unusual rectangular and distorted hexagonal lanthanide nodes. Gd2(C2O4)(O2CCH2OH)4, 1, exhibits fully paramagnetic behavior with µeff = 7.938(5) µB per Gd(III) ion; in the solid state, Tb2(C2O4)(O2CCH2OH)4, 2, exhibits very strong luminescence.