Heterometallic pentanuclear coordination compounds [Ln(4)(3+)Cu(2+)] involving light lanthanide ions, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu, were synthesized and structurally characterized. The exchange interactions between the Ln and Cu ions were evaluated by high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetization studies, clarifying the presence of ferromagnetic exchange couplings in Nd-Cu (J(Nd-Cu)/k(B) = +0.30(6) K) and Sm-Cu (J(Sm-Cu)/k(B) = +2.08(3) K), very small couplings in Ce-Cu and Pr-Cu, and the absence in Eu-Cu. A significant chemical trend is found in the order of the atomic number. (C) 2012 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.