Spin control in oxamato-based manganese(II)-copper(II) coordination polymers with brick-wall layer architectures

Two new heterobimetallic manganese(II)-copper(II) coordination polymers of formulas [Mn(2)Cu(2)(Me(3)mpba)(2)(H(2)O)(6)]·8H(2)O (1) and [Mn(2)Cu(2)(Me(4)ppba)(2)(H(2)O)(6)]·8H(2)O (2) [Me(3)mpba = 2,4,6-trimethyl-N,N'-1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate) and Me(4)ppba = 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-N,N'-1,4-phenylenebis(oxamate)] have been synthesized following a molecular-programmed self-assembly method from the corresponding dicopper(II) complexes acting as metalloligands toward Mn(II) ions. 1 and 2 consist of neutral Mn(II)(2)Cu(II)(2) layers with a brick-wall structure made up of oxamato-bridged Mn(II)Cu(II) chains connected through double meta- (1) and para-substituted (2) permethylated phenylene spacers. Overall magnetic (1) and nonmagnetic (2) layer ground states result from the ferro- and antiferromagnetic interchain interactions between the oxamato-bridged Mn(II)Cu(II) ferrimagnetic chains across m- and p-phenylene spacers, respectively. Interestingly, compound 1 exhibits a long-range ferromagnetic ordering with a rather high Curie temperature (T(C)) of 20.0 K.     

The role of carboxylate ligands in two novel cyanido-bridged 2D coordination networks Cu(II)-W(V) and Mn(II)-Nb(IV)

We report on the synthesis, molecular structure and magnetic properties of two novel coordination polymers: [{Cu(II)(4)(pic)(2)(H(2)O)(2)(MeOH)}{W(V)(CN)(8)}(2)]·MeOH·4H(2)O (1) and [{Mn(II)(3)(HCOO)(2)(H(2)O)(4)}{Mn(II)(H(2)O)(3)(HCONH(2))}(2){Nb(IV)(CN)(8)}(2)]·4HCONH(2)·2H(2)O (2). The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 shows that its molecular structure can be interpreted as a cyanido bridged (3,4,7)-connected 2D bilayer built of two different subnets sharing the tungsten centers. The magnetic measurements suggest that the system reveals long-range ferromagnetic ordering between Cu(II) and W(V) centers below 13.4 K. The molecular structure of (2) reveals a 2D topology of layers built of cyanido and formato bridging ligands. The system reveals ferrimagnetic behavior with a critical temperature at 17.8 K.     

Reversible solvatomagnetic switching in a spongelike manganese(II)-copper(II) 3D open framework with a pillared square/octagonal layer architecture

The concept of "molecular magnetic sponges" was introduced for the first time in 1999 by the creative imagination of the late Olivier Kahn. It refers to the exotic spongelike behavior of certain molecule-based materials that undergo a dramatic change of their magnetic properties upon reversible dehydration/rehydration processes. Here we report a unique example of a manganese(II)-copper(II) mixed-metal-organic framework of formula [Na(H(2)O)(4)](4)[Mn(4){Cu(2)(mpba)(2)(H(2)O)(4)}(3)]·56.5H(2)O (1) (mpba=N,N'-1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate)). Compound 1 possesses a 3D Mn(II)(4)Cu(II)(6) pillared layer structure with mixed square and octagonal pores of approximate dimensions 1.2×1.2 nm and 2.1×3.0 nm, respectively, hosting a large amount of crystallization H(2)O molecules and hydrated Na(I) countercations as guests. It reversibly switches from a crystalline hydrated phase with long-range ferromagnetic ordering at a rather high critical temperature (T(c)) of 22.5 K to an amorphous dehydrated phase with T(c) as low as 2.3 K, which is accompanied by a breathing-type dynamic effect involving a large crystal volume (ca. 45%) and color changes after water desorption/adsorption. The combination of both the open-framework structure and the spongelike optical, mechanical, and magnetic switching behavior in this new class of oxamato-based porous magnets offers fascinating possibilities in designing multifunctional materials for host-guest molecular sensing.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of heterometal cyclic tetranuclear complexes [Cu(II)LM(II)(hfac)]2 (M(II) = Zn,Cu, Ni,Co, Fe,Mn; H3L = 1-(2-hydroxybenzamido)-2-((2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)amino)ethane; Hhfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone)

A series of heterometal cyclic tetranuclear complexes [Cu(II)LM(II)(hfac)](2) (M(II) = Zn (1), Cu (2), Ni (3), Co (4), Fe(5), and Mn (6)) have been synthesized by the assembly reaction of K[CuL] and [M(II)(hfac)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] with a 1:1 mole ratio in methanol, where H(3)L = 1-(2-hydroxybenzamido)-2-((2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)amino)ethane and Hhfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone. The crystal structures of 2, 4, and [Cu(II)LMn(II)(acac)](2) (6a) (Hacac = acetylacetone) were determined by single-crystal X-ray analyses. Each complex has a cyclic tetranuclear Cu(II)(2)M(II)(2) structure, in which the Cu(II) complex functions as a "bridging ligand complex", and the Cu(II) and M(II) ions are alternately arrayed. One side of the planar Cu(II) complex coordinates to one M(II) ion at the two phenoxo and the methoxy oxygen atoms, and the opposite side of the Cu(II) complex coordinates to another M(II) ion at the amido oxygen atom. The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities revealed spin states of S(M) = 0, 1/2, 1, 3/2, 2, and 5/2 for the Zn(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Fe(II), and Mn(II) ions, respectively. Satisfactory fittings to the observed magnetic susceptibility data were obtained by assuming a rectangular arrangement with two different g-factors for the Cu(II) and M(II) ions, two different isotropic magnetic exchange interactions, J(1) and J(2), between the Cu(II) and M(II) ions, and a zero-field splitting term for the M(II) ion. In all cases, the antiferromagnetic coupling constants were found for both exchange interactions suggesting nonzero spin ground states with S(T) = 2/S(M) - S(Cu)/, which were confirmed by the analysis of the field-dependent magnetization measurements.     

Syntheses and magnetic properties of Cu(II)(hfac)2 and Mn(II)(hfac)2 complexes of 4-pyridyl-substituted thioaminyl radicals

Two types of Cu(II)(hfac)2 and Mn(II)(hfac)2 complexes of N-(4-pyridylthio)-4-ethoxycarbonyl-2,6-bis(4-chlorophenyl)phenylaminyl (1) and N-(4-pyridylthio)-2,4,6-tris(4-chlorophenyl)phenylaminyl (2) were prepared and their X-ray crystallographic and magnetic studies were performed. Mixtures of Cu(II)(hfac)2 and 1 and Mn(II)(hfac)2 and 2 in anhydrous heptane-benzene solution gave 1 : 2 complexes of M(II)(hfac)2 (M = Cu, Mn) and 1 or 2 in 73-75% yields. For Cu(II)(hfac)2(1)2 and Mn(II)(hfac)2(2)2 X-ray crystallographic analyses were successfully performed. The magnetic behaviors for the two metal complexes were investigated with a SQUID magnetometer. The analyses for the chimolTvs. T plots of Cu(II)(hfac)2(1)2 were carried out by the numerical diagonalization of the Heisenberg Hamiltonian matrix (4096 x 4096 matrix) for the four repeating units of the complex (12-spin system). The exchange interaction between the copper(II) ion and the thioaminyl radicals is ferromagnetic (J1/kB = +28 K) and the interactions between the complexes is antiferromagnetic (J2/kB = -13 K). The magnetic behavior of Mn(II)(hfac)2(2)2 complexes is well analyzed with the theoretical equation of a 1/2-5/2-1/2 three-spin system taking the intermolecular interaction (theta) into account. The exchange interaction between the Mn(II) ion and the thioaminyl radicals is antiferromagnetic (J/kB = -4.2 K) and theta = -1.0 K. These magnetic behaviors could be well explained in terms of their crystal structures.     

Polytypism, homochirality, interpenetration, and hydrogen-bonding in transition metal (Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II)) 5-hydroxyisophthalate coordination polymers containing 4,4'-bipyridyl

We report the synthesis of five coordination polymers of divalent transition metals combined with 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid (HIP) and 4,4'-bipyridyl (bipy). Mn forms two polytypic two-dimensional coordination polymers, Mn(HIP)(bipy).3H(2)O and Mn(HIP)(bipy).(1/4)bipy.2H(2)O (I and II, with ABAB and ABC stacking sequences, respectively); Ni forms a chiral hexagonal three-dimensional coordination polymer with two interpenetrating trigonal sublattices exhibiting the "dual quartz" topology, Ni(HIP)(bipy)(H(2)O) (III); Cu forms a one-dimensional coordination polymer containing arrays of infinite hydrogen-bonded molecular ribbons, Cu(HIP)(2)(bipy) (IV); and Zn forms a two-dimensional coordination polymer with a stair-stepped layered structure, Zn(2)(HIP)(2)(bipy)(H(2)O)(2).H(2)O (V). The M-HIP-M connections are perpendicular to the M-bipy-M connections in all structures where they are present.     

Single-molecule magnet behavior in heterometallic M(II)-Mn(III)(2)-M(II) tetramers (M(II) = Cu, Ni) containing Mn(III) salen-type dinuclear core

The linear-type heterometallic tetramers, [Mn(III)(2)(5-MeOsaltmen)(2)M(II)(2)(L)(2)](CF(3)SO(3))(2) x 2H(2)O (MII = Cu, 1a; Ni, 2a), where 5-MeOsaltmen(2-) = N,N'-(1,1,2,2-tetramethylethylene) bis(5-methoxysalicylideneiminate), and H(2)L = 3-{2-[(2-hydroxy-benzylidene)-amino]-2-methyl-propylimino}-butan-2-one oxime, have been synthesized and characterized from structural and magnetic points of view. These two compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the same monoclinic P2(1)/n space group. The structure has a [M(II)-NO-Mn(III)-(O)(2)-Mn(III)-ON-M(II)] skeleton, where -NO- is a linking oximato group derived from the non-symmetrical Schiff-base complex [M(II)(L)] and -(O)(2)- is a biphenolato bridge in the out-of-plane [Mn(2)(5-MeOsaltmen)(2)](2+) dimer. The solvent-free compounds, 1b and 2b, have also been prepared by drying of the parent compounds, 1a and 2a, respectively, at 100 degrees C under dried nitrogen. After this treatment, the crystallinity is preserved, and 1b and 2b crystallize in a monoclinic P2(1)/c space group without significant changes in their structures in comparison to 1a and 2a. Magnetic measurements on 1a and 1b revealed antiferromagnetic Mn(III)---Cu(II) interactions via the oximato group and weak ferromagnetic Mn(III)---Mn(III) interactions via the biphenolato bridge leading to an S(T) = 3 ground state. On the other hand, the diamagnetic nature of the square planar Ni(II) center generates an S(T) = 4 ground state for 2a and 2b. At low temperature, these solvated (a) and desolvated (b) compounds display single-molecule magnet behavior modulated by their spin ground state.     

Rational enantioselective design of chiral heterobimetallic single-chain magnets: synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of oxamato-bridged M(II)Cu(II) chains (M=Mn, Co)

A new series of neutral oxamato-bridged M(II)Cu(II) chiral chains of general formula [MCuL(x)(S)(m)(H(2)O)(n)]·aS·bH(2)O [L(1)=(M)-1,1'-binaphthalene-2,2'-bis(oxamate) with M=Mn (1a) and Co (1b); L(2)=(P)-1,1'-binaphthalene-2,2'-bis(oxamate) with M=Mn (2a) and Co (2b)] and the analogous racemic chains of formula [MCuL(3)(S)(m)(H(2)O)(n)]·aS·bH(2)O [L(3)=1,1'-binaphthalene-2,2'-bis(oxamate) with M=Mn (3a) and Co (3b)] have been prepared by reaction of the corresponding dianionic oxamatocopper(II) complex [Cu(L(x))](2-) with Mn(2+) or Co(2+) cations in either dimethylformamide (DMF) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Solid circular dichroism (CD) spectra of the bimetallic chain compounds were recorded to establish their chiral and enantiomeric nature. They exhibit maximum positive and negative Cotton effects, each pair of enantiomeric chains being non-superimposable mirror images. The crystal structures of the Mn(II)Cu(II) (1a-3a) and the Co(II)Cu(II) (1b and 2b) chain compounds were solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Our attempts to obtain X-ray quality crystals of 3b were unsuccessful. The values of the shortest interchain Mn···Mn and Co···Co distances are indicative of a good isolation of neighbouring chains in the crystal lattice, which is caused by the bulky aromatic ligand. Although all the Mn(II)Cu(II) and Co(II)Cu(II) chains exhibit ferrimagnetic behaviour (-J(MnCu)=18.9-26.6 cm(-1) and -J(CoCu)=19.5-32.5 cm(-1)), only the enantiopure Co(II)Cu(II) chains (1b and 2b) show slow magnetic relaxation at low temperatures (T(B)=0.6-1.8 K), which is a characteristic of single-chain magnets (SCMs) and is related to the magnetic anisotropy of the high-spin Co(II) ion. Analysis of the SCM behaviour of 1b and 2b, based on Glauber's theory for an Ising one-dimensional system, shows a thermally activated mechanism for the magnetic relaxation (Arrhenius law dependence). The energy barriers (E(a)) to reverse the magnetisation direction are 8.2 (1b) and 8.1cm(-1) (2b), whereas the pre-exponential factor (τ(0)) is 1.9×10(-8) (1b) and 6.0×10(-9) s (2b). Interestingly, the racemic Co(II)Cu(II) chain analogue, 3b, showed no evidence of SCM behaviour.     

Theoretical insights into the ferromagnetic coupling in oxalato-bridged chromium(III)-cobalt(II) and chromium(III)-manganese(II) dinuclear complexes with aromatic diimine ligands

Two novel heterobimetallic complexes of formula [Cr(bpy)(ox)(2)Co(Me(2)phen)(H(2)O)(2)][Cr(bpy)(ox)(2)]·4H(2)O (1) and [Cr(phen)(ox)(2)Mn(phen)(H(2)O)(2)][Cr(phen)(ox)(2)]·H(2)O (2) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and Me(2)phen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) have been obtained through the "complex-as-ligand/complex-as-metal" strategy by using Ph(4)P[CrL(ox)(2)]·H(2)O (L = bpy and phen) and [ML'(H(2)O)(4)](NO(3))(2) (M = Co and Mn; L' = phen and Me(2)phen) as precursors. The X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 2 consist of bis(oxalato)chromate(III) mononuclear anions, [Cr(III)L(ox)(2)](-), and oxalato-bridged chromium(III)-cobalt(II) and chromium(III)-manganese(II) dinuclear cations, [Cr(III)L(ox)(μ-ox)M(II)L'(H(2)O)(2)](+)[M = Co, L = bpy, and L' = Me(2)phen (1); M = Mn and L = L' = phen (2)]. These oxalato-bridged Cr(III)M(II) dinuclear cationic entities of 1 and 2 result from the coordination of a [Cr(III)L(ox)(2)](-) unit through one of its two oxalato groups toward a [M(II)L'(H(2)O)(2)](2+) moiety with either a trans- (M = Co) or a cis-diaqua (M = Mn) configuration. The two distinct Cr(III) ions in 1 and 2 adopt a similar trigonally compressed octahedral geometry, while the high-spin M(II) ions exhibit an axially (M = Co) or trigonally compressed (M = Mn) octahedral geometry in 1 and 2, respectively. Variable temperature (2.0-300 K) magnetic susceptibility and variable-field (0-5.0 T) magnetization measurements for 1 and 2 reveal the presence of weak intramolecular ferromagnetic interactions between the Cr(III) (S(Cr) = 3/2) ion and the high-spin Co(II) (S(Co) = 3/2) or Mn(II) (S(Mn) = 5/2) ions across the oxalato bridge within the Cr(III)M(II) dinuclear cationic entities (M = Co and Mn) [J = +2.2 (1) and +1.2 cm(-1) (2); H = -JS(Cr)·S(M)]. Density functional electronic structure calculations for 1 and 2 support the occurrence of S = 3 Cr(III)Co(II) and S = 4 Cr(III)Mn(II) ground spin states, respectively. A simple molecular orbital analysis of the electron exchange mechanism suggests a subtle competition between individual ferro- and antiferromagnetic contributions through the σ- and/or π-type pathways of the oxalato bridge, mainly involving the d(yz)(Cr)/d(xy)(M), d(xz)(Cr)/d(xy)(M), d(x(2)-y(2))(Cr)/d(xy)(M), d(yz)(Cr)/d(xz)(M), and d(xz)(Cr)/d(yz)(M) pairs of orthogonal magnetic orbitals and the d(x(2)-y(2))(Cr)/d(x(2)-y(2))(M), d(xz)(Cr)/d(xz)(M), and d(yz)(Cr)/d(yz)(M) pairs of nonorthogonal magnetic orbitals, which would be ultimately responsible for the relative magnitude of the overall ferromagnetic coupling in 1 and 2.     

Structural and magnetic properties of three one-dimensional azido-bridged copper(II) and manganese(II) coordination polymers

Three one-dimensional (1D) azido-bridged coordination polymers of formula [Cu(L)(N3)2]n (1), [Cu2(Me-L)(N3)4]n (2), and [Mn(L)(N3)2]n (3) have been synthesized and structurally characterized, and their magnetic properties studied, where L and Me-L are 2-(pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine and 2-(3-methylpyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine, respectively. Compound 1 consists of 1D chains in which the Cu(II) ions with a square pyramidal geometry are alternately bridged by an end-to-end (EE) and an end-on (EO) azido ligands, both adopting a basal-apical disposition. Compound 2 exhibits an unprecedented chain topology built via three different kinds of EO azido bridges. Four Cu(II) ions in the square pyramidal environment are alternately bridged by single and double EO bridges to form a tetranuclear cyclic ring, and neighboring rings are interlinked by double EO bridges to generate a "chain of rings". The intraannular double azido ions are disposed between metal ions in a basal-basal fashion, and the other two kinds of azido ions adopt the basal-apical disposition. Compound 3 consists of 1D concave-convex chains in which cis-octahedrally coordinated Mn(II) ions are alternately bridged by double EE and double EO bridges. There exist pi-pi interactions between the ligands bound to the neighboring Mn(II) ions bridged by the EO bridges. Temperature- and field-dependent magnetic analyses reveal alternate ferromagnetic interactions for 1, dominating ferromagnetic interactions for 2, and alternating ferro- and antiferromagnetic interactions through the EO and EE azido bridges for 3, respectively.     

Ferromagnetic Mn(II).Cu(II) Exchange in the New Bimetallic Quasi-2-D Compound Cu(op)(2)MnCl(4) (op = 1,4-Diazacycloheptane)

The synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties are reported for the new bimetallic compound Cu(op)(2)MnCl(4), where op = HN(CH(2))(5)NH. The compound, C(10)H(24)N(4)Cl(4)CuMn, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n. Cell dimensions are as follows: a = 15.316(3) ?, b = 16.608(3) ?, c = 7.141(2) ?, beta = 100.01(5) degrees, Z = 4. The structure consists of well-separated and magnetically equivalent layers which are composed of chloride-bridged Cu(op)(2)MnCl(4) binuclear units connected by rather loose Cu-N-H.Cl-Mn contacts. The MnCl(4) fragment approximates tetrahedral symmetry. The Cu(II) geometry is (4 + 1) square-pyramidal with the apical position occupied by a bridging chloride ligand and the basal ones by the nitrogen atoms from the organic ligands. The shortest interlayer M.M separations, approximately 7 ?, are of the Mn.Cu type. Magnetic susceptibility and single-crystal EPR measurements for the compound have been carried out over the range 4-300 K. At room temperature the chiT product (per MnCu unit) has a value of 4.84 emu.mol(-)(1).K, close to that expected for uncoupled S = (5)/(2) and S = (1)/(2) spins. When the temperature is lowered, chiT remains almost constant until 80-90 K, slightly increases to reach a maximum at approximately 13 K (5.21 emu.mol(-)(1).K), and then rapidly decreases. Comparison between theory and experiment, made with use of both a mean field corrected dimer model and an approximate 2-D model, indicates that Mn(II).Cu(II) exchange is ferromagnetic within the dimers (J(1) approximately 2.6 cm(-)(1)) and antiferromagnetic among dimers, with J values between -0.07 and -0.03 cm(-)(1) (the interaction Hamiltonian is of the form H = -2JS(A).S(B)). Single-crystal EPR spectra recorded along the a, b, and c axes show a large temperature dependence of the g factors: at 4.2 K, g(a) = 2.10, g(b) = 1.96, and g(c) = 2.01. This pattern substantiates the presence of a 2-D magnetic structure with ferromagnetic intradimer exchange and interdimer antiferromagnetic exchange of weaker magnitude. The opposite signs of the interactions are ascribed to the local symmetries of the Cu(II) and Mn(II) ions.     

Co(II), Mn(II) and Cu(II)-directed coordination polymers with mixed tetrazolate-dicarboxylate heterobridges exhibiting spin-canted, spin-frustrated antiferromagnetism and a slight spin-flop transition

Three new paramagnetic ion-directed coordination frameworks, {[Co(4)(H(2)O)(2)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(atz)(2)(nip)(2)]·3H(2)O}(n) (1), {[Mn(4)(H(2)O)(2)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(atz)(2)(nip)(2)]·H(2)O·MeOH}(n) (2) and {[Cu(2)(H(2)O)(μ(3)-OH)(atz)(nip)]·2H(2)O}(n) (3), were, respectively, obtained by solvo-/hydrothermal reactions of 5-amino-1H-tetrazole (Hatz), 5-nitroisophathalic acid (H(2)nip) with an inorganic Co(II), Mn(II) or Cu(II) salt. The former two complexes are two-dimensional (2D) covalent layers built from butterfly-shaped tetranuclear M(4)(μ(3)-OH)(2) clusters and double atz(-) and nip(2-) linkers. Whereas complex 3 is a 3D framework with scarcely observed corner-sharing Cu(3)(μ(3)-OH) Δ-chains extended by nip(2-) linkages, in which the anionic atz(-) ligand acts as a reinforcement to consolidate the Δ-chain. Magnetically, due to the interplay of the anisotropy of spin carrier and magnetic exchange interactions from the adjacent spin carriers, the complexes exhibit spin-canted antiferromagnetism with a Néel temperature lower than 2.0 K for 1 and an antiferromagnetic ordering with a slight field-induced spin-flop transition for 2. In contrast, complex 3 with a local Kagomé sublattice displays spin-frustrated antiferromagnetic behavior with magnetic ordering at 16.0 K.     

Tuning the spin ground state in heterononanuclear nickel(II)-copper(II) cylinders with a triangular metallacyclophane core

Two new heterometallic Ni(II)(n)Cu(II)((9-n)) complexes [n = 1 (2) and 2 (3)] have been synthesized following a multicomponent self-assembly process from a n:(3 - n):2:6 stoichiometric mixture of Ni(2+), Cu(2+), L(6-), and [CuL'](2+), where L and L' are the bridging and blocking ligands 1,3,5-benzenetris(oxamate) and N,N,N',N',N'-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, respectively. Complexes 2 and 3 possess a unique cyclindrical architecture formed by three oxamato-bridged trinuclear linear units connected through two 1,3,5-substituted benzenetris(amidate) bridges, giving a triangular metallacyclophane core. They behave as a ferromagnetically coupled trimer of two (2)/one (3) S = (1)/(2) Cu(II)(3) plus one (2)/two (3) S = 0 Ni(II)Cu(II)(2) linear units with overall S = 1 Ni(II)Cu(II)(8) (2) and S = (1)/(2) Ni(II)(2)Cu(II)(7) (3) ground states.     

A geometrically constraining bis(benzimidazole) ligand and its nearly tetrahedral complexes with Fe(II) and Mn(II)

2,2'-Bis[2-(1-propylbenzimidazol-2-yl)]biphenyl), 4, and its bis complexes with Fe(II) and Mn(II) have been prepared and characterized structurally and spectroscopically. Ligand 4 adopts an open, "trans" conformation in the solid state with the benzimidazole (BzIm) groups on opposite sides of the biphenyl unit. In its complexes with metal ions, a "cis" conformation is observed, and 4 behaves as a geometrically constraining bidentate ligand with four planar groups connected by three "hinges". Reaction of 4 with Fe(II) or Mn(II) yielded isomorphous crystals (space group Pnn2) of Fe(II)(4)2.(ClO4)2 and Mn(II)(4)2.(ClO4)2, in which the M(II)(4)2 cations exhibit distorted-tetrahedral coordination geometries (N-M-N angles, 109 +/- 11 degrees ) enforced by rigid, chiral nine-membered M(4) rings in the twist-boat-boat conformation. Individually, the cations show R,R or S,S stereochemistry, and the crystals are racemates. Mn(II)(4)2.(ClO4)2 exhibits a quasi-reversible Mn(II) --> Mn(III) oxidation at E(1/2) = 0.64 V; the corresponding Fe(II) --> Fe(III) oxidation occurs at E(1/2) = 1.76 V. The electrochemical stability of the Fe(III) oxidation state in this system suggests the possibility of isolating an unusual pseudotetrahedral Fe(III)N(BzIm)(4) species. Ultraviolet spectra of the iron and manganese complexes are dominated by absorptions of the ligand 4 blue-shifted by approximately 2000-3000 cm(-1). Ligand-field absorptions were observed for the Fe(II) complex; those for the Mn(II) complex were obscured by tailing ultraviolet absorptions. Electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetic susceptibility measurements are consistent with a high-spin Mn(II) complex, while for the Fe(II) complex, the falloff of the magnetic moment with decreasing temperature is indicative of zero-field splitting with D approximately 4 cm(-1).     

Synthesis, structures, and magnetism of copper(II) and manganese(II) coordination polymers with azide and pyridylbenzoates

Three transition-metal coordination polymers with azide and/or carboxylate bridges have been synthesized from 4-(3-pyridyl)benzoic acid (4,3-Hpybz) and 4-(4-pyridyl)benzoic acid (4,4-Hpybz) and characterized by X-ray crystallography and magnetic measurements. Compound 1, [Cu(4,3-pybz)(N(3))](n), consists of 2D coordination networks in which the uniform chains with (μ-EO-N(3))(μ-COO) double bridges are cross-linked by the 4,3-pybz ligands. Compound 2, [Cu(2)(4,4-pybz)(3)(N(3))](n)·3nH(2)O, consists of 2-fold interpenetrated 3D coordination networks with the α-Po topology, in which the six-connected dinuclear motifs with mixed (μ-EO-N(3))(μ-COO)(2) (EO = end-on) triple bridges are linked by the 4,4-pybz spacers. Compound 3, [Mn(4,4-pybz)(N(3))(H(2)O)(2)](n), contains 2D manganese(II) coordination networks in which the chains with single μ-EE-N(3) bridges (EE = end-to-end) are interlinked by the 4,4-pybz ligands, and the structure also features a 2D hydrogen-bonded network in which Mn(II) ions are linked by double triatomic bridges, (μ-EE-N(3))(O-H···N) and (O-H···O)(2). Magnetic studies indicated that the mixed azide and carboxylate bridges in 1 and 2 induce ferromagnetic coupling between Cu(II) ions and that 3 features antiferromagnetic coupling through the EE-azide bridge. In addition, compound 1 exhibits antiferromagnetic ordering below 6.2 K and behaves as a field-induced metamagnet. A magnetostructural survey indicates a general trend that the ferromagnetic coupling through the mixed bridges decreases as the Cu-N-Cu angle increases.     

Note: Synthesis,Characterization and Crystal Structures of the Coordination Polymers [Cu(II)(NO3)2(BBMB) and [Mn(II)Cl2(BBMB)2] [BBMB = 1,4-Bis(1-Benzimidazolylmethyl) Benzene]

Two novel coordination polymers, [Cu(II)(NO₃)₂(bbmb)] _n (1) and [Mn(II)(Cl₂)(BBMB)₂] (2) [bbmb = 1,4-bis(1-benzimidazolylmethyl)benzene], were synthesized and characterized by IR and thermal analyses. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that Polymer 1 exhibits a distorted metal tetrahedron in its structure, involving two nitrogen atoms from bbmb ligands and two oxygen atoms from NO₃ groups. Each Cu(II)(NO₃)₂ unit is bridged by bbmb to form a zigzag chain structure. Polymer 2 possesses a two-dimensional network. The coordination environment around Mn(II) is a distorted octahedron and its solid-state structure exhibits a layered packing mode. In the polymers the two coordinating nitrogen atoms on bridging bbmb ligands are trans to the central benzene plane.     

One-dimensional octacyanomolybdate-based Cu(II)--Mo(V) bimetallic assembly with a novel rope-ladder chain structure

A new type of one-dimensional cyanide-bridged Cu(II)--Mo(V) bimetallic assembly, [Cu(cyclam)](3)[Mo(CN)(8)](2)x5H(2)O (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane), was prepared by self-assembling Mo(CN)(8)(3)(-) and Cu(cyclam)(2+) ions in a 2:3 stoichiometric ratio. The overall molecular view is delineated as a novel rope-ladder chain structure. It displays a dominant ferromagnetic behavior within a pentanuclear Cu(3)Mo(2) unit (J(p) = 3.88 cm(-)(1)). Interunit ferromagnetic interactions (J(c) = -0.03 cm(-)(1)) through a longer magnetic pathway of Cu--Mo and weak antiferromagnetic couplings (zJ' = -0.46 cm(-)(1)) resulting from interchain interactions are obtained.     

Coordination complexes of 2-(4-quinolyl)nitronyl nitroxide with M(hfac)(2) [M = Mn(II), Co(II), and Cu(II)]: syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic characterization

Three new complexes of the formula M(2)L(2) derived from 2-(4-quinolyl)nitronyl nitroxide (4-QNNN) and M(hfac)(2) [M = Mn(II), Co(II), and Cu(II)], (4-QNNN)(2).[Mn(hfac)(2)](2) (1), (4-QNNN)(2).[Co(hfac)(2)](2).2H(2)O (2), and (4-QNNN)(2).Cu(hfac)(2).Cu'(hfac)(2) (3), were synthesized and characterized structurally as well as magnetically. Complexes 1 and 2 are four-spin complexes with quadrangle geometry, in which both the nitrogen atoms of quinoline rings and oxygen atoms of nitronyl nitroxides are involved in the formation of coordination bonds. For complex 3, however, the nitrogen atoms of quinoline rings are coordinated with Cu(II) ion to afford a three-spin complex, which is further linked to another molecule of Cu(hfac)(2) (referred to as Cu'(hfac)(2)) to form a 1D alternating chain. The magnetic behaviors of the three complexes were investigated. For complex 1, as the nitronyl nitroxides and Mn(II) ions are strongly antiferromagnetically coupled, consequently its temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility was fitted to the model of spin-dimer with S = 2, yielding the intradimer magnetic exchange constant of J = -0.82 cm(-1). For complex 2, the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility in the T > 50 K region was simulated with the model of two-spin unit with S(1) = 3/2 and S(2) = 1/2, leading to J = -321.9 cm(-1) for the magnetic interaction due to Co(II).O coordination bonding, D = -16.3 cm(-1) (the zero-field splitting parameter), g = 2.26, and zJ = -3.8 cm(-1) for the magnetic interactions between Co(II) ions and nitronyl nitroxides through quinoline rings and those between nitronyl nitroxides due to the short O.O short contacts. The temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility of 3 was approximately fitted to a model described previously affording J(1) = -6.52 cm(-1) and J(2) = 3.64 cm(-1) for the magnetic interaction between nitronyl nitroxides and Cu(II) ions through the quinoline unit via spin polarization mechanism and the weak O.Cu coordination bonding, respectively.     

Synthesis, structural, magnetic, DFT calculations and CShM studies of three new pentanuclear Mn(II) clusters

The ditopic ligand PyPzOAPz (N-[(Z)-amino(pyrazin-2-yl)methylidene]-5-methyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazonic acid) was synthesized by in situ condensation of methyl imino pyrazine-2-carboxylate with 5-methyl-1-(2-pyridyl) pyrazole-3-carbohydrazide. In this work we have also used two of our earlier ligands PzCAP (5-methyl-N-[(1E)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazonic acid) (Dalton Trans., 2009, 8215) and PzOAP (N-[(Z)-amino(pyridin-2-yl)methylidene]-5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazonic acid) (Dalton Trans., 2007, 1229). These ligands PzCAP, PzOAP and PyPzOAPz were made to react with Mn(ClO(4))(2)·6H(2)O to produce three pentanuclear Mn(II) clusters [Mn(5)(PzCAP)(6)](ClO(4))(4) (1), [Mn(5)(PzOAP)(6)](ClO(4))(4) (2) and [Mn(5)(PyPzOAPz)(6)](ClO(4))(4) (3). These complexes have been characterized by X-ray structural analyses and variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. All complexes have a pentanuclear core with trigonal bipyramidal arrangement of Mn(II) atoms, where, the axial metal centers have a N(3)O(3) chromophore and the equatorial centers have N(4)O(2) with an octahedral arrangement. These Mn(5)(II) clusters 1, 2 and 3 show the presence of antiferromagnetic coupling within the pentanuclear manganese(II) core (J = -2.95, -3.19 and -3.00 cm(-1) respectively). Density functional theory calculations and continuous shape measurement (CShM) studies have been performed on these complexes to provide a qualitative theoretical interpretation of the antiferromagnetic behaviour shown by them. The pentanuclear Mn(II) cluster (1) on reaction with Cu(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O in 1:1 mole proportion in CH(3)OH:H(2)O (60?:?40) forms a homoleptic [2 × 2] tetranuclear Cu(4)(II) grid [Cu(4)(PzCAP)(4)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2)·8H(2)O (4). The same Cu(4)(II) grid is also obtained from a direct reaction between the ditopic ligand PzCAP with Cu(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O in 1:1 mole proportion. This conversion of a cluster to a grid is a novel observation.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic study of copper(II) and manganese(II) complexes with pipemidic acid

The interaction of copper(II) and manganese(II) with pipemidic acid, Hpipem, afforded the complexes [Cu(pipem)(2)(H(2)O)] x 2H(2)O, 1 and [Mn(pipem)(2)(H(2)O)], 2. The new complexes have been characterised by elemental analyses, infrared, UV-vis and X-band EPR spectroscopy in the temperature range from 4 to 300 K. The monoanion, pipem, exhibits O,O ligation through the carbonyl and carboxylato oxygen atoms. Five coordinate square-pyramid configuration has been proposed for 1 and 2, and the fifth apical position is occupied by a coordinated water molecule.