Cyanide-bridged Mn(III)-Fe(III) bimetallic complexes based on the pentacyano(1-methylimidazole)ferrate(III) building block: structure and magnetic characterizations

Seven cyanide-bridged bimetallic complexes have been synthesized by the reaction of [Fe(1-CH3im)(CN)5]2- with Mn(III) Schiff base complexes. Their crystal structure and magnetic properties have been characterized. Five complexes, [Mn2(5-Brsalen)2Fe(CN)5(1-CH3im)] x H2O (1), [Mn2(5-Clsalen)2(H2O)2Fe(CN)5(1-CH3im)] x H2O (2), [Mn2(5-Clsaltn)2(H2O)2Fe(CN)5(1-CH3im)] (3), [Mn2(5-Clsaltmen)2(H2O)2Fe(CN)5(1-CH3im)] x H2O (4), and [Mn2(5-Brsaltmen)2(H2O)2Fe(CN)5(1-CH3im)] x CH3OH (5), are neutral and trinuclear with two [Mn(SB)]+ (SB2- = Schiff base ligands) and one [Fe(1-CH3im)(CN)5]2-. Complex {[Et4N][Mn(acacen)Fe(CN)5(1-CH3im)]}n x 6nH2O (6) is one-dimensional with alternate [Mn(acacen)]+ and [Fe(CN)5(1-CH3im)]2- units. The two-dimensional complex {[Mn4(saltmen)4Fe(CN)5(1-CH3im)]}n[ClO4]2n x 9nH2O (7) consists of Mn4Fe units which are further connected by the phenoxo oxygen atoms. Magnetic studies show the presence of ferromagnetic Mn(III)-Fe(III) coupling in the trinuclear compounds with the magnetic coupling constant (J) ranging from 4.5 to 6.0 cm-1, based on the Hamiltonian H = -2JSFe(SMn(1) + SMn(2)). Antiferromagnetic interaction has been observed in complex 6, whereas ferromagnetic coupling occurs in complex 7. Complexes 6 and 7 exhibit long-range magnetic ordering with a TN value of 4.0 K for 6 and Tc of 4.8 K for 7. Complex 6 shows metamagnetic behavior at 2 K, and complex 7 possesses a hysteresis loop with a coercive field of 500 Oe, typical of a soft ferromagnet.