A new approach to fabricate the Mn(ii)-based magnetic refrigerant through incorporation of a diamagnetic {LiO4} spacer.

A new 3D MOF [MnLi2(ip)2(H2O)2] (1) with a 1D heterometallic inorganic Mn(ii)-Li(i) chain is reported. With the assistance of diamagnetic {LiO4} connectors, which separate the paramagnetic Mn(ii) ions and act as magnetic spacers, very weak magnetic interactions were obtained. Remarkably, 1 showed a significant magnetocaloric effect (MCE) with a large entropy change value of 30.4 J kg-1 K-1 for ΔH = 8 T at 2 K.