Generation of lanthanide coordination polymers with dicarboxylate ligands: synthesis, structure, thermal decomposition and magnetic properties of the two-dimensional triaquatris(malonato)dipraseodymium(III) dihydrate {[Pr2(C3H2O4)3(H2O)3]•2H2O}

The malonate complex of formula [Pr-2(C3H2O4)(3)(H2O)(3)]center dot 2H(2)O was prepared and its crystal structure determined by X-ray diffraction methods. It crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2(1), Z = 4, with unit cell parameters a = 7.631( 2), b = 12.899( 4), c = 8.923( 2) angstrom and beta = 101.11(3)degrees. It is a polymer which grows in the (110) plane. The hydrogen bond stabilizes the crystal structure forming a three-dimensional network. The two non-equivalent praseodymium(III) ions have different environments. Finally, the thermal behaviour and magnetic properties were investigated.