Heterometallic Hexanuclear [Ln4Cr2] Cluster-Based Three-Dimensional Sulfate Frameworks as a Magnetic Refrigerant and Single Molecular Magnet

Three heterometallic 3d-4f cluster-based, three-dimensional sulfate frameworks, [Ln4Cr2(μ4-O)2(μ3-OH)4(H2O)9(SO4)5]·3H2O (Ln = Gd/Tb/Dy), were obtained. They are built from the hexanuclear [Ln4Cr2] cluster and sulfate bridge, showing a 6-connected pcu topology network. The [Gd4Cr2]-based compound displays a large magnetocaloric effect of −ΔSm = 38.33 J kg–1 K–1, making it a hopeful magnetic cooler at low temperature, while the Tb- and Dy-containing compounds display interesting single-molecule magnet behavior, indicating that they are potential materials to make spintronic devices.