Stepwise synthesis and magnetic control of trimetallic magnets [Co2Ln(L)2(H2O)4][Cr(CN)6].nH2O (Ln = La, Gd; H2L = 2,6-Di(acetoacetyl)pyridine) with 3-D pillared-layer structure.

Integration of mononuclear [Cr(CN)6]3- and preorganized trinuclear [Co2Ln(L)2]3+ complexes provides novel trimetallic magnets having a 3-D pillared-layer framework with an alternate array of 2-D layer extended by Cr(III)-CN-Co(II) linkages and Ln(III) ion. The overall magnetic nature can be systematically controlled by Ln(III) ions inserted between the 2-D ferromagnetic layers.