Quantum chemistry studies on the Ru-M interactions and the P NMR in [Ru(CO)3(Ph2Ppy)2(MCl2)] (M = Zn, Cd, Hg)

To study the Ru-M interactions and their effects on ³¹P NMR, complexes [Ru(CO)₃(Ph₂Ppy)₂] (py = pyridine) (1) and [Ru(CO)₃(Ph₂Ppy)₂MCl₂] (M = Zn, 2; Cd, 3; Hg, 4) were calculated by density functional theory (DFT) PBE0 method. Moreover, the PBE0-GIAO method was employed to calculate the ³¹P chemical shifts in complexes. The calculated ³¹P chemical shifts in 1-3 follow 2 > 3 > 1 which are consistent to experimental results, proving that PBE0-GIAO method adopted in this study is reasonable. This method is employed to predict the ³¹P chemical shift in designed complex 4. Compared with 1, the ³¹P chemical shifts in 2-4 vary resulting from adjacent Ru-M interactions. The Ru → M or Ru ← M charge-transfer interactions in 2-4 are revealed by second-order perturbation theory. The strength order of Ru → M interactions is the same as that of the P-Ru → M delocalization with Zn > Cd > Hg, which coincides with the order of ³¹P NMR chemical shifts. The interaction of Ru → M, corresponding to the delocalization from 4d orbital of Ru to s valence orbital of M²⁺, results in the delocalization of P-Ru → M, which decreases the electron density of P nucleus and causes the downfield ³¹P chemical shifts. Except 2, the back-donation effect of Ru ← M, arising from the delocalization from s valence orbital of M²⁺ to the valence orbital of Ru, is against the P-Ru → M delocalization and results in the upfield ³¹P chemical shifts in 4. Meanwhile, the binding energies indicate that complex 4 is stable and can be synthesized experimentally. However, as complex [Ru(CO)₃(Ph₂Ppy)₂HgCl]⁺5 is more stable than 4, the reaction of 1 with HgCl₂ only gave 5 experimentally.     

Chemically modified oximato complexes of titanium(IV) isopropoxide as new precursors for the sol-gel preparation of nano-sized titania: Crystal and molecular structure of [Ti{ONC10H16}4·2CH2Cl2]

Reactions of [Ti(OPrⁱ)₄] with various oximes, in anhydrous refluxing benzene yielded complexes of the type [Ti{OPrⁱ}_4−n{L}_n], where, n = 1-4 and LH = (CH₃)₂CNOH (1-4), C₉H₁₆CNOH (5-8) and C₉H₁₈CNOH (9-12). The compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight measurements, FAB-mass, FT-IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C{¹H}) spectral studies. The FAB-mass spectra of mono- (1), and di- (2), (6), (10) substituted products indicate their dimeric nature and that of tri- (3) and tetra- (4), (8) substituted derivatives suggest their monomeric nature. Crystal and molecular structure of [Ti{ONC₁₀H₁₆}₄·2CH₂Cl₂] (8A) suggests that the oximato ligands bind the metal in a dihapto η²-(N, O) manner, leading to the formation of an eight coordinated species. Thermogravimetric curves of (3), (6) and (10) exhibit multi-step decomposition with the formation of TiO₂ as the final product in each case, at 900 °C. Low temperature (∼600 °C) sol-gel transformations of (2), (3), (4), (6), (7) and (8) yielded nano-sized titania (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f), respectively. Formation of anatase phase in all the titania samples was confirmed by powder XRD patterns, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. SEM images of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) exhibit formation of nano-grains with agglomer like surface morphologies. Compositions of all the titania samples were investigated by EDX analyses. The absorption spectra of the two representative samples, (a) and (f) indicate an energy band gap of 3.17 eV and 3.75 eV, respectively.     

Nickel(IV) dithiocarbamato complexes of the [Ni(ndtc)3]X type: X-ray structure of [Ni(hmidtc)3][FeCl4]

A series of fourteen octahedral nickel(IV) dithiocarbamato complexes of the general formula [Ni(ndtc)₃]X·yH₂O {ndtc stands for the appropriate dithiocarbamate anion, X stands for ClO₄⁻ (1-8; y = 0) or [FeCl₄]⁻ (9-14; y = 0 for 9-12, 1 for 13 and 0.5 for 14} was prepared by the oxidation of the corresponding nickel(II) complexes, i.e. [Ni(ndtc)₂], with NOClO₄ or FeCl₃. The complexes, involving a high-valent Ni^IVS₆ core, were characterized by elemental analysis (C, H, N, Cl and Ni), UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, thermal analysis and magnetochemical and conductivity measurements. The X-ray structure of [Ni(hmidtc)₃][FeCl₄] (9) was determined {it consists of covalently discrete complex [Ni(hmidtc)₃]⁺ cations and [FeCl₄]⁻ anions} and this revealed slightly distorted octahedral and tetrahedral geometries within the complex cations, and anions, respectively. The Ni(IV) atom is six-coordinated by three bidentate S-donor hexamethyleneiminedithiocarbamate anions (hmidtc), with Ni-S bond lengths ranging from 2.2597(5) to 2.2652(5) Å, while the shortest Ni···Cl and Ni···Fe distances equal 4.1043(12), and 6.2862(6) Å, respectively. Moreover, the formal oxidation state of iron in [FeCl₄]⁻ as well as the coordination geometry in its vicinity was also proved by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy in the case of 9.     

Preparation and structural characterization of [RuCl2(CO)2{Te(CH2SiMe3)2}2] and [RuCl2(CO){Te(CH2SiMe3)2}3]

The objective of the present work was to synthesize mononuclear ruthenium complex [RuCl₂(CO)₂{Te(CH₂SiMe₃)₂}₂] (1) by the reaction of Te(CH₂SiMe₃)₂ and [RuCl₂(CO)₃]₂. However, the stoichiometric reaction affords a mixture of 1 and [RuCl₂(CO){Te(CH₂SiMe₃)₂}₃] (2). The X-ray structures show the formation of the cis(Cl), cis(C), trans(Te) isomer of 1 and the cis(Cl), mer(Te) isomer of 2. The ¹²⁵Te NMR spectra of the complexes are reported. The complex distribution depends on the initial molar ratio of the reactants. With an excess of [RuCl₂(CO)₃]₂ only 1 is formed. In addition to the stoichiometric reaction, a mixture of 1 and 2 is observed even when using an excess of Te(CH₂SiMe₃)₂. Complex 1 is, however, always the main product. In these cases the ¹²⁵Te NMR spectra of the reaction solution also indicates the presence of unreacted ligand.     

Synthesis,characterization, DNA-binding and DNA-photocleavage studies of [Ru(bpy)2(BPIP)] and [Ru(phen)2(BPIP)] (BPIP = 2-(4′-biphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline)

New ligand 2-(4′-biphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline (BPIP) and its complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(BPIP)]²⁺ (1) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and [Ru(phen)₂(BPIP)]²⁺ (2) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized by mass spectroscopy, ¹H NMR and cyclic voltammetry. The interaction of two Ru(II) complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated by spectroscopic and viscosity measurements. Results indicate that both complexes bind to DNA via an intercalative mode and the DNA-binding affinity of complex 2 is much greater than that of complex 1. Furthermore, when irradiated at 365 nm, both complexes have also been found to promote the photocleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA.     

Polymorphism in [Co(SCN)4(ppz-H)2] (ppz,piperazine)

A one-pot reaction of [Co(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O and piperazine] with NH₄SCN/NaSCN in water–methanol (1:1) solvent leads to two polymorphs of [Co(SCN)₄(ppz-H)₂] (ppz, piperazine) (I and II). X-ray crystal structure reveals both have same space group but the differences in the alignment of pendant SCN⁻ leads to two polymorphs. In I, trifurcated N–H?S hydrogen bonding plays a prominent role in crystal packing leading to S?S interactions between SCN fragments but in II, no such trifurcation arises and thereby the crystal packing occurs through hydrogen bonding interactions only leading to a distinctly different network topology. TG/DSC and FT-IR study reveal they are enantiotropically related.     

Synthesis, characterization, and ethylene polymerization behavior of [(RR′-admpzp)2Ti(OPr)2] complexes (RR′-admpzp = 1-dialkylamino-3-(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-propan-2-olate)

[(RR′-admpzp)₂Ti(OPrⁱ)₂] complexes (2a-c), synthesized from reaction of Ti(OPrⁱ)₃Cl (0.5 equiv) with 1-dialkylamino-3-(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-propan-2-ol compounds in the presence of triethylamine (0.5 equiv), are pseudo-octahedral with each RR′-admpzp ligand κ²-O,N(pyrazolyl) coordinated to the titanium center. In solution, 2a-c adopt isomeric structures that are in dynamic equilibrium. At 23 °C, 2a-c/1000 MAO catalyst systems furnished high molecular weight polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n = 2.7-2.8). At 100 °C, 2a-c/MAO catalyst systems exhibited increased polymerization activity and 2c/1000 MAO system furnished high molecular weight polyethylene with a molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n = 2.1) that is close to that found for single-site catalysts.     

Structural characterization of [Fe(NO)(mnt)2] salts

The iron dithiolene compounds [Fe₂(mnt)₄]²⁻ [1]²⁻ and [Fe(NO)(mnt)₂]ⁿ (n = 1−, [2]¹⁻; n = 2−, [2]²⁻) ([mnt]²⁻ = maleonitriledithiolate = [(NC)₂C₂S₂]²⁻) have been characterized structurally by X-ray diffraction as their [Et₄N]⁺ salts at 100 K. Dianion [2]²⁻ is prepared from [2]¹⁻ by reduction with Na[Et₃BH] and is observed to have a bent Fe-NO angle at 149.9(5)° in contrast to the linear configuration of Fe-NO in [2]¹⁻ (180.0°). The change from linear to bent binding mode for NO, an increase of more than 0.1 Å in the Fe-N bond length, and the relative invariance of the Fe-S distances for [2]²⁻ versus [2]¹⁻ indicate that the NO ligand is the site of reduction. The [Et₃NH]⁺ complex of [2]¹⁻ was also identified by crystallography and found to have hydrogen bonding contacts between [Et₃NH]⁺ and the cyano nitrogen atom of an [mnt]²⁻ ligand. Furthermore, relatively close S?S contacts (3.602-3.615 Å) occur between [2]¹⁻ anions, which pack together in an offset, head-to-head fashion. These S?S contacts are absent in the structure of [Et₄N][2]. Infrared spectra show an energy decrease for, and a significant broadening of, the NO bond stretching absorption peak in [2]²⁻, which is consistent with a bent NO ligand sampling a range of conformations both by facile pivoting about the Fe-N axis and by a breathing of the Fe-NO angle.     

Syntheses and X-ray crystallographic studies of {[Ni(en)2(pot)2]0.5CHCl3} and [Ni(en)2](3-pytol)2

Two novel Ni(II) complexes {[Ni(en)₂(pot)₂]0.5CHCl₃} (3) {pot = 5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thione} (1) and [Ni(en)₂](3-pytol)₂ (4) {3-pytol = 5-(3-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol} (2) have been synthesized using en as coligand. The metal complexes have been characterized by physical and analytical techniques and also by single crystal X-ray studies. The complexes 3 and 4 crystallize in monoclinic system with space group P21/a and P121/c, respectively. The complex 3 has a slightly distorted octahedral geometry with trans (pot)⁻ ligands while 4 has a square planar geometry around the centrosymmetric Ni(II) center with ionically linked trans (3-pytol)⁻ ligands. The π?π (face to face) interaction plays an important role along with hydrogen bondings to form supramolecular architecture in both complexes.     

X-ray and multinuclear NMR study of the mixed aggregate [(Ph2P(O)N(CH2Ph)CH3) · LiOC6H2-2,6-{C(CH3)3}2-4-CH3) · C7H8]2: a model for the directed metalation of phosphinamides

The addition of LiBuⁿ to a toluene solution of Ph₂P(O)N(CH₂Ph)CH₃1 and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol 5 leads to the formation of the mixed dimer [(Ph₂P(O)N(CH₂Ph)CH₃) · LiOC₆H₂-2,6-{C(CH₃)₃}₂-4-CH₃) · C₇H₈]₂6. The single crystal X-ray structure shows that two lithium aryloxide moieties dimerize giving rise to a Li₂O₂ core in which each lithium atom is additionally coordinated to a phosphinamide 1 ligand. The multinuclear magnetic resonance study (¹H, ⁷Li, ¹³C, ³¹P) indicates that the solid-state structure is preserved in toluene solution. Complex 6 may be considered as a model for the pre-complexation step preceding the metalation of phosphinamides by an organolithium base.     

Crystal structure and spectral characterization of hexanuclear oxo titanium(IV) clusters: [Ti6O6(OSi(CH3)3)6(OOCR)6] (R = Bu,CH2Bu,C(CH3)2Et)

Hexanuclear oxo titanium(IV) siloxo carboxylate complexes with the general formula [Ti₆O₆(OSi(CH₃)₃)₆(OOCR)₆] (R = Bu^t (1), CH₂Bu^t (2), C(CH₃)₂Et (3)) were synthesized in quantitative yield, by the reaction of Ti(OSiMe₃)₄ with the appropriate organic acid. Crystal structure determination revealed that molecules of 1–3 are composed of [Ti₆-(μ₃-O)₆] cores stabilized by six syn–syn carboxylato bridges and six terminal siloxide ligands. Each metal atom is surrounded by six oxo atoms, capping the triangular faces of the distorted octahedron. Spectral characterization (IR, NMR) of 1–3 revealed a significant non-equivalence of the carboxylate group interactions, resulting from the asymmetry of the Ti-μ-OOC bonds of the syn–syn bridges. The thermal stability of the studied compounds was determined from TGA/DTA analysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of some novel cadmium(II) complexes with 3-hydroxypicolinic acid (3-OHpicH): Crystal and molecular structures of [CdI(3-OHpic)(3-OHpicH)(H2O)]2, [Cd(3-OHpic)2(H2O)2] and [Cd(3-OHpic)2]n

Cadmium(II) complexes of 3-hydroxypicolinic acid, namely [CdI(3-OHpic)(3-OHpicH)(H₂O)]₂ (1), [Cd(3-OHpic)₂(H₂O)₂] (2) and [Cd(3-OHpic)₂]_n (3) were prepared and characterized by spectroscopic methods (IR, NMR) and their molecular and crystal structures were determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis. Complexes 1 and 2 were prepared in similar reaction conditions using different cadmium(II) salts: cadmium(II) iodide and cadmium(II) acetate dihydrate, respectively, while 3 was prepared by recrystallization of 2 from N,N-dimethylformamide solution. Various coordination modes of 3-OHpicH in 1–3 were established in the solid state: bidentate N,O-chelated mode in 1 and 2, monodentate mode through the carboxylate O atom from zwitterionic ligand in 1 and bidentate N,O-chelated and bridging mode in 3. In the DMF solution of all prepared complexes, only monodentate mode of 3-OHpicH binding to cadmium(II) through the carboxylate O atom was established by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N and ¹¹³Cd NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and characterisation of six Fe(II or III), Co(II) or Zr(IV) complexes containing the ligand [CH(SiMe2R)P(Ph)2NSiMe3] (R = Me, NEt2) and of [Co{N(SiMe3)C(Ph)C(H)P(Ph)2NSiMe3}2]

The C,N-(trimethylsilyliminodiphenylphosphoranyl)silylmethylmetal complexes [Fe(L)₂] (3), [Co(L)₂] (4), [ZrCl₃(L)]·0.83CH₂Cl₂ (5), [Fe(L)₃] (6), [Fe(L′)₂] (7) and [Co(L′)₂] (8) have been prepared from the lithium compound Li[CH(SiMe₂R)P(Ph)₂NSiMe₃] [1a, (R = Me) {≡ Li(L)}; 1b, (R = NEt₂) {≡ Li(L′)}] and the appropriate metal chloride (or for 7, FeCl₃). From Li[N(SiMe₃)C(Ph)C(H)P(Ph)₂NSiMe₃] [≡ Li(L″)] (2), prepared in situ from Li(L) (1a) and PhCN, and CoCl₂ there was obtained bis(3-trimethylsilylimino- diphenylphosphoranyl-2-phenyl-N-trimethylsilyl-1-azaallyl-N,N′)cobalt(II) (9). These crystalline complexes 3-9 were characterised by their mass spectra, microanalyses, high spin magnetic moments (not 5) and for 5 multinuclear NMR solution spectra. The X-ray structure of 3 showed it to be a pseudotetrahedral bis(chelate), the iron atom at the spiro junction.     

Synthesis, characterization and biological activities of some new organotin(IV) derivatives: Crystal structure of [(Sn Ph3) (OOCC6H4OH)] and [(SnMe3)2 (OOC)2C6Cl4 (DMSO)2]

Some new organotin(IV) carboxylates 1-3 of 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (L_A) and 4-6 of 2,3,4,5-tetrachloro-6-(methoxycarbonyl) benzoic acid (L_B) have been synthesized, respectively, by the esterification of triorganotin oxide/hydroxide with the corresponding acids in an appropriate mole ratios. Multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn), IR and X-ray crystallographic studies were carried out to elucidate their structures both in solution and in solid state. The X-ray crystallographic data for 3 was recollected at low temperature. The compound 4 was dissolved in DMSO and a new compound 4 · 2DMSO [(SnMe₃)₂(OOC)₂C₆Cl₄(DMSO)₂] was crystallized out. The structure shows that two Sn moieties are attached to the ligand (L_B) through two carboxylic groups. The two molecules of DMSO are coordinated to each of the Sn atoms via oxygen atom to terminate the conventional polymeric chain of trimethyl carboxylates to a discrete molecule, having trigonal bipyramidal geometry around the Sn atoms. Some of the synthesized compounds exhibited significant antifungal activities and have a potential to be used as drugs.     

Unusual spin gap transition observed in two new molecular magnets based on [Ni(mnt)2] monoanion (mnt=maleonitriledithiolate)

Two new molecular magnets, [RBzPyN(CH₃)₂][Ni(mnt)₂] [mnt²⁻=maleonitriledithiolate; [RBzPyN(CH₃)₂]⁺=1-(4′-R-benzyl)-4-dimethylaminopyridinium; R=CN(1), F(2)], with unusual magnetic properties have been prepared and characterized. Both 1 and 2 form a 3D network structure in which the [Ni(mnt)₂]⁻ anions form a 1D magnetic chain for 1 and a stepwise stack for 2via weak π…π stacking interactions, C…C or C…N short interactions between the neighboring anions. Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the temperature range 1.8-300 K indicated that 1 and 2 show unusual spin gap transition around 30 K and 110 K, respectively. The transition for 1 and 2 is the second-order phase transition as determined by the capacity measurement.     

Reactions of Mo(II)-tetraphosphine complex [MoCl2{meso-o-C6H4(PPhCH2CH2PPh2)2}] with a series of small molecules

Reactions of Mo(II)-tetraphosphine complex [MoCl₂(κ⁴-P4)] (2; P4 = meso-o-C₆H₄(PPhCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂) with a series of small molecules have been investigated. Thus, treatment of 2 with alkynes RCCR′ (R = Ph, R′ = H; R = p-tolyl, R′ = H; R = Me, R′ = Ph) in benzene or toluene gave neutral mono(alkyne) complexes [MoCl₂(RCCR′)(κ³-P4)] containing tridentate P4 ligand, which were converted to cationic complexes [MoCl(RCCR′)(κ⁴-P4)]Cl having tetradentate P4 ligand upon dissolution into CDCl₃ or CD₂Cl₂. The latter complexes were available directly from the reactions of 2 with the alkynes in CH₂Cl₂. On the other hand, treatment of 2 with 1 equiv. of XyNC (Xy = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) afforded a seven-coordinate mono(isocyanide) complex [MoCl₂(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)] (7), which reacted further with XyNC to give a cationic bis(isocyanide) complex [MoCl(XyNC)₂(κ⁴-P4)]Cl (8). From the reaction of 2 with CO, a mono(carbonyl) complex [MoCl₂(CO)(κ⁴-P4)] (9) was obtained as a sole isolable product. Reaction of 9 with XyNC afforded [MoCl(CO)(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)]Cl (10a) having a pentagonal-bipyramidal geometry with axial CO and XyNC ligands, whereas that of 7 with CO resulted in the formation of a mixture of 10a and its isomer 10b containing axial CO and Cl ligands. Structures of 7 and 9 as well as [MoCl(XyNC)₂(κ⁴-P4)][PF₆](8′) and [MoCl(CO)(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)][PF₆] (10a′) derived by the anion metathesis from 8 and 10a, respectively, were determined in detail by the X-ray crystallography.     

New effective reagent [Cp2ZrH2 · ClAlEt2]2 for alkene hydrometallation

New bimetallic complex [Cp₂ZrH₂ · ClAlEt₂]₂ (1) was synthesized, and its reactivity in hydrometallation reaction with the following alkenes was studied: hept-1-ene, okt-1-ene, α-methylstyrene, (1S)-β-pinene, (+)-camphene. Complex 1 shows the highest reactivity among the other known Al,Zr-bimetallic complexes: [Cp₂ZrH₂ · ClAlBuⁱ₂]₂ (2), [Cp₂ZrH₂ · AlEt₃]₂ (3), [Cp₂ZrH₂ · AlBuⁱ₃]₂ (4) and [Cp₂ZrH₂ · HAlBuⁱ₂] (5) as well as organoaluminium compounds (OAC): ⁱBu₂AlH, ⁱBu₃Al and ⁱBu₂AlCl in presence of Zr catalysts. Chlorine containing complexes 1 and 2 appear to be more effective in alkene hydrometallation, and relative hydrometallation rates are (1S)-β-pinene ? (+)-camphene < α-methylstyrene < oct-1-ene < hept-1-ene. Hydrometallation of (1S)-β-pinene and its subsequent oxidation with I₂ run with high diastereoselectivity and yield trans-myrtanol. However, the diastereoselectivity of (+)-camphene hydrometallation is less than that for (1S)-β-pinene, and the reaction gives predominately endo-camphanol.     

New stable germylenes, stannylenes, and related compounds. 5. Germanium(II) and tin(II) azides [N3-E-OCH2CH2NMe2]2 (E = Ge, Sn): synthesis and structure

New stable azido derivatives of divalent germanium and tin [N₃-E¹⁴-OCH₂CH₂NMe₂]₂ (E¹⁴ = Ge (1), Sn (2)) have been synthesized by use of the β-dimethylaminoethoxy ligand that forms the intramolecular E¹⁴ ← N coordination bond. Their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 are centrosymmetric dimers via two intermolecular dative E¹⁴ ← O interactions with essentially linear monodentate azide ligands. The dominant canonical form of the E¹⁴-azide moieties is E¹⁴-N-NN.     

The first non-acetato members of the bis(anion)octacarboxylatotetrakis{di-2-pyridyl-methanediolate(−2)}enneametal(II) family of complexes: Synthesis, X-ray structures and magnetism of [M9(N3)2(O2CCMe3)8{(py)2CO2}4] (M = Co, Ni)

The combined use of di-2-pyridyl ketone [(py)₂CO] and azides (N₃⁻) in nickel(II) and cobalt(II) pivalate chemistry has afforded complexes [Ni₉(N₃)₂(O₂CCMe₃)₈{(py)₂CO₂}₄] (1) and [Co₉(N₃)₂(O₂CCMe₃)₈{(py)₂CO₂}₄] (2), where (py)₂CO₂²⁻ is the gem-diolate(−2) form of (py)₂CO. The complexes are isostructural and crystallize in the monoclinic P2₁/c space group. Their molecular structures consist of nine metal(II) ions, eight of which are arranged as two parallel squares flanking the ninth. DC magnetic susceptometry on powdered samples of 1 (1-p) reveal an overall antiferromagnetic behavior, leading to an S = 0 ground state. AC susceptometry reveals out-of-phase signals between 10 and 27 K, and ZFC and FC experiments show a divergence of the two curves below ∼27 K. Magnetization-decay and field-sweep experiments verify the relaxation behavior of the sample. Samples of the complex arising from carefully washed single crystals (1-cr) reveal a similar DC behavior, without however the appearance of cusps in the χ_ΜΤ versus T curves, and no relaxation. The relaxation behavior has been assigned to NiO impurities. The results illustrate the extreme care that should be taken when examining the magnetic properties of apparently analytically pure materials obtained under heating. Complex 2 exhibits an overall antiferromagnetic behavior, without observation of any relaxation phenomena.