A novel heterometallic [CoII2CoIII4CeIV] cluster formed by In Situ reaction: Crystal structure, DNA interaction and efficient conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates

The bidentate Schiff base ligand 2-[(2-hydroxy-5-iodobenzylidene)amino]-2-methylpropane-1,3-diol (H 3 L) was generated in situ from 5-iodosalicylaldehyde and 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, which was then assembled with Ce(Ac)₃·xH₂O and Co(Ac)₂·4H₂O to form a novel 3d-4f heterometallic cluster [Ce IV Co II 2 Co III 4 (L 2- ) 4 (L 3- ) 4 ]·CH 3 CN ( 1 ). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirmed that cluster 1 possesses a butterfly topology structure with a cross-shaped [Co 6 Ce] core. Cluster 1 exhibits excellent solvent stability, and bioactivity studies have confirmed that its interaction with DNA follows an embedded binding mode. Meanwhile, catalytic performance tests demonstrated cluster 1 as heterogeneous catalyst displays high efficiency in catalyzing the cycloaddition reaction of CO₂ with epoxides under mild condition.