Bimetallic 3d—4f-molecules [MEu(ButCOO)5(1,10-phen)] (M = Zn2+, Co2+, phen is phenanthroline): synthesis, structure, luminescent and magnetic properties

New heterometallic complexes [MEu(Piv)5(1,10-phen)]•MeCN (M = Zn2+ (1), Co2+ (2), Piv– = ButCOO–, 1,10-phen is 1,10-phenanthroline) were obtained. Luminescence spectra of compound 1 reveal a metal-centered Eu3+ luminescence, the luminescence lifetime is about 1 ms. Using TGA and DSC methods, it was shown that [ZnEu(Piv)5(1,10-phen)] is a stable binuclear molecule undergoing a structural transformation in the 210—230 °C temperature range, which leads to a partial transition of the sample into the glass state. Complex 2 does not exhibit luminescence due to the presence of high-spin cobalt(II) ions. The magnetic behavior of 2 according to calculations based on the molecular field model is determined by spin-orbit interactions of cobalt(II) and europium(III) ions.