New chain polymer [Yb(tpa)(H2O)2Co(CN)6]n · 7n H2O: synthesis, structure, and magnetic characteristics

The 3d– 4f heterometallic polymeric complex, namely [Yb(tpa)(H2O)2Co(CN)6]n·7n H2O [tpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)- amine], was synthesized and characterized. Its polymer structure is formed of [Yb(tpa)(H2O)2Co(CN)6] chains and crystallization water molecules with a two-capped trigonal prism Yb3+ coordination polyhedron; the Yb3+ coordination number is 8, and the coordination site is YbN6O2. Magnetic characteristics indicate that the complex exhibits the properties of a single-chain magnet with a magnetization reversal barrier(!E/kB) of 42 K.