Mono- and dinuclear copper(II) complexes with meta-phenylene-bridging ligands: Synthesis,structure and magnetic properties

The new double-Schiff-base ligand H₆ipa-bhea has been synthesized by condensation of a 4,6-diformylresorcinol derivative (ipa) with two equivalents of N,N-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (bhea). Reaction with copper(II) perchlorate leads to the formation of two different products depending on the reaction conditions. The directed synthesis of either a mononuclear or dinuclear copper(II) complex is reported. The reaction in methanol results in the formation of a dinuclear complex [Cu₂(H₄ipa-bhea)](ClO₄)₂ (1). Whereas in the presence of water as solvent for the reaction, one imine side chain of the ligand is hydrolyzed regenerating the formyl moiety with the mononuclear complex [Cu(H₃hyforsa-bhea)]ClO₄ · 2H₂O (2) as final product. Subsequent reaction of complex 2 with N,N-bis-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethylenediamine (unspenp) as additional amine component results in the formation of the mononuclear complex [Cu(Hhyforsa-unspenp)]ClO₄ (3). All complexes are characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X-ray crystallography. Temperature-dependent magnetic measurements on the dinuclear complex indicate weak antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the copper(II) ions with a coupling constant of J = ?16.4 cm^?1. Density functional calculations have been used to evaluate the magnetic properties. The exchange coupling constant can be nicely reproduced with the use of the broken symmetry approach. The exchange pathway through the meta-phenylene-linkage is discussed in terms of a competitive spin-polarization and superexchange mechanism as well as geometrical changes at the copper(II) ions.