A novel two-dimensional Ni(II) fumarato complex: Solvothermal synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties

Dark green single crystals of [Ni(fum)(phen)] (fum = fumarato, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) (1) have been prepared under solvothermal conditions. Its crystal structure exhibits two dimensional (2D) character. The formed layers are built of dimers of crystallographically non-equivalent Ni(II) atoms linked by bridging fumarato ligands; one is of the μ₄-bridge type with both carboxylato groups coordinated in syn-anti fashion while in the second one both carboxylate groups form a chelate-like coordination. Both Ni(II) atoms are hexa-coordinated in the cis-NiO₄N₂ form; two coordination positions are occupied by a N-bonded chelate phen molecule and four positions by oxygen atoms from the fum ligands. The layers are interconnected by π–π interactions operating between aromatic rings of the phen ligands. The analysis of the experimental thermodynamic data supports the structural assumptions and showed that magnetic subsystem of 1 can be approximated by an array of antiferromagnetic S = 1 dimers with easy-axis uniaxial magnetic anisotropy D comparable to intradimer exchange coupling J, D/J ≈ 1 and D/k_B = −6 K. The specific heat data clearly indicate the absence of a phase transition to the ordered state at least at temperatures down to 2 K.