Hexaaqua-1κ3O,3κ3O-tri-μ-cyano-1:2κ2N:C;2:3κ2C:N;3:4κ2N:C-nonacyano-2κ4C,4κ5C-pentakis(N,N-dimethylacetamide)1κ3O,3κ2O-diiron(III)diytterbium(III) dihydrate

The title compound, [Fe2Yb2(CN)(12)(C4H9NO)(5)(H2O)(6)]center dot 2H(2)O, is a tetranuclear complex, where the four metal centres are connected through three cyano bridges, the iron centres making one and two bridges, respectively. Each Fe atom is surrounded by six cyano ligands, forming almost ideal octahedra. The two Yb atoms have different ligand environments; both are coordinated by seven ligands, consisting of water molecules, dimethylacetamide (DMA) solvent and cyano groups, but not in the same ratio. Four of the five DMA molecules show various degrees of common structural disorder. The asymmetric unit also includes two solvent water molecules, which take part in hydrogen bonding, forming an extended network of tetramers.