A tri-layer structure consisting of novel heptacobaltate clusters and single cobalt centers bridged by 5-tert-butyl isophthalateElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. CCDC reference number 816773. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format, see DOI: 10.1039/c1dt10723b

A 2D tri-layer compound {[Co8(tbip)6(H2O)9(OH)4]·12(H2O)}n(1) (H2tbip = 5-tert-butyl isophthalic acid) consisting of novel heptacobaltate clusters and single cobalt centers bridged by tbip2−ligands has been hydrothermally synthesized. The complex represents a rare example of a homometallic coordination polymer built up from both heptanuclear metal clusters and single metal centers simultaneously. The magnetic investigation reveals that the complex exhibits the overall predominance of antiferromagnetic coupling between magnetic centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]