Syntheses and structural characterization of transition metal(II) coordination polymers containing 4,4′-dipyridyldisulfide

The reactions of Zn(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O and FeSO₄ · 7H₂O with 4-PDS (4-PDS = 4,4′-dipyridyldisulfide) and NH₄SCN in CH₃OH afforded the complexes [Zn(NCS)₂(4-PDS)]_n (1) and [Fe(NCS)₂(4-PDS)₂ · 4H₂O]_n (2), respectively, while the reaction of CoCl₂ · 6H₂O with 4-PDS in CH₃OH gave the complex {[Co(4-PDS)₂][Cl]₂ · 2CH₃OH}_n, (3). These complexes have been characterized by spectroscopic methods and their structures determined by X-ray crystallography. The 4-PDS ligands in 1 are coordinated to the metal centers through the nitrogen atoms to form 1-D zigzag-chains, and the distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry at each zinc center is completed by a pair of N-bonded thiocyanate ligands. Compound 2 has a 1-D channel-chain structure and each octahedral Fe(II) metal center is coordinated by four 4-PDS ligands and two trans N-bonded thiocyanate ligands. Weak SS interactions in complex 1 link the 1-D chains into 2-D molecular sheets. In complex 2, the channel chains are interlinked through SS interactions to form molecular sheets, which interpenetrate through the SS interactions to form 3-D structures with large cavities that are occupied by the water molecules. Compound 3 also has a 1-D channel-chain structure with each square-planar Co(II) metal center coordinated by four 4-PDS ligands. Multiple C–HCl hydrogen bonds and SO interactions in 3 link the 1-D chains into 2-D structures.     

Ion size dominated 1D and 2D Salen lanthanide coordination complexes and their luminescence

Lewis acid/base addition between Ln(NO₃)₃ · 6H₂O (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb and Lu) and H₂salen [H₂salen = N,N′-ethylenebis(salicylideneimine)] gives rise to an array of coordination polymeric structures. Crystal structural analysis reveals that Salen effectively functions as a bridging ligand in these compounds. The size of the lanthanide ions controls the structures of these Salen lanthanide complexes. Two representative structures with one dimensional and two dimensional topologies, viz. [Pr(H₂salen)(NO₃)₃(CH₃OH)₂]_n (1) and [Ln(H₂salen)_1.5(NO₃)₃]_n [Ln = Pr (2), Nd (3), Sm (4), Eu (5), Tb (6) and Lu (7)] are reported. Luminescent spectra of complexes 4 and 5 exhibit characteristic metal-centered emission lines. However, the characteristic luminescence of the terbium(III) ion is not observed either in solution or in the solid state of complex 6.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic behavior of two cobalt coordination polymers with 1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethane and dicyanamide

Two cobalt(II) coordination polymers formed from bte (bte = 1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethane), namely [Co(bte)₂(dca)₂]_n (1) and {[Co(bte)(dca)₂] · H₂O}_n (2), have been synthesized and characterized by elementary analyses, IR, thermogravimetric analyses, X-ray diffraction analyses and magnetic measurements. Compound 1 is a double-chain with Co(II) centers bridged by bte, containing metallocycles of [Co₂(bte)₂] and trans dca as termination ligands. In 2, each Co(II) center is bonded by two bridging bte ligands and four dca as μ-1,5-dca in different orientations in the 3D network.     

Zn(II) complexes with pyridine derived N6 and N8 donor azamacrocyclic ligands

A novel N6 macrocyclic ligand, L¹ (2,8,14,20-tetramethyl-3,7,15,19,25,26-hexaaza-tricyclo[19.3.1.1^9,13]hexacosa-1(24),9,11,13(26),21(25),22-hexaene), was obtained by reduction of the 2 + 2 condensation product of 2,6-diacetylpyridine and propane-1,3-diamine. Zinc(II) complexes of L¹, of a related N8 macrocycle, L³ (3,6,9,17,20,23,29,30-octaaza-tricyclo[23.3.1.1[11,15]]triaconta-1(28),1,13,15(30),25(29),26-hexaene), similarly prepared by 2 + 2 condensation of 2,6-diformylpyridine and diethylenetriamine and of a tetra N-2-cyanoethyl derivative of a homologue of L¹ prepared from diformyl pyridine and ethane-1,2-diamine, L² (3-[6,14,17-tris-(2-cyano-ethyl)-3,6,14,17,23,24-hexaaza-tricyclo[17.3.1.1^8,12] tetracosa-1(23),8(24),9,11,19,21-hexaen-3-yl]-propionitrile), were prepared. Structures were determined for [ZnL¹](ClO₄)₂ · H₂O, [ZnL²](NO₃)₂ and [Zn₂L³(NO₃)₂](NO₃)₂ · H₂O. The [ZnL¹](ClO₄)₂ · H₂O and [ZnL²](NO₃)₂ complexes present a mononuclear endomacrocyclic structure with the metal in an octahedral distorted environment coordinated by the six donor nitrogen atoms from the macrocyclic backbone while the complex [Zn₂L³(NO₃)₂](NO₃)₂ · H₂O is dinuclear with both metal atoms into the macrocyclic cavity coordinated by four donor nitrogen atoms from the macrocyclic framework and one oxygen atom from one monodentate nitrate anion, in a distorted square pyramidal arrangement.     

Syntheses and structures of five cadmium(II) coordination polymers from 1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethane

Five structually distinct coordination polymers [Cd(bte)₃](NO₃)_{2 n} (1), [Cd(bte)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)_{2 n} (2), [Cd(bte)(NO₂)₂] _n (3), [Cd(bte)₂(H₂O)₂](H₂O)₂(ClO₄)_{2 n} (4) and [Cd(bte)(NCS)₂]_n (5) (bte = 1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethane) have been synthesized and characterized. The structures of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 consist of a double interpenetrating three-dimensional -poloniumn cubic network, a two-dimensional (4,4) network, a two-dimensional rhombic network, a one-dimensional double chain containing 18-membered [Cd₂(bte)₂] rings and a two-dimensional rhombic network containing eight-membered [Cd₂(SCN)₂] rings, respectively.     

Solvothermal syntheses and crystal structures of two metal coordination polymers with double-chain structures

Two polymeric complexes, [Cu₂(btec)(phen)₂]_n·(H₂O)_n (1) and [Cd₄(btec)₂(phen)₄(H₂O)₄]_n (2) (H₄btec=1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid; PHEN=1,10-phenanthroline), were synthesized by solvothermal reactions at 140 °C. Both complex 1 and 2 possess infinite double-chain structures, in which each Cu(II) center has a tetrahedral configuration and the Cd(II) centers adopt triangular prismatic and square-based pyramidal configurations simultaneously. The inter-chain face to face π–π interactions among the aromatic rings of phen and the hydrogen bond interactions between aqua molecules and carboxyl O atoms result in 3-D networks in the two complexes. The ESR spectra study of complex 1 shows that there is negligibly small long-range super-exchange interactions between the Cu(II) atoms via benzenecarboxylate bridging.     

Three copper(II) complexes constructed from a new 1,3,5-triazine derivative ligand

Three new complexes {[Cu(dpdapt)(Hhbd)] · 6H₂O}_n (1) (dpdapt = N,N′-di(2-pyridyl)-2,4-diamino-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine, Hhbd = 2-hydroxybutanedioicate dianion), [Cu(dpdapt)(SO₄)] · 2H₂O (2) and [Cu(dpdapt)(oxa)] · H₂O (3) (oxa = oxalate dianion) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The non-covalent interactions of π–π stacking and hydrogen bonding extend complexes 1–3 into supramolecular architectures, where 1 self-assembles into a 1D polymeric chain by dicarboxylate bridges and exhibits a 3D framework with 1D open channels, while complexes 2 and 3 display 2D wavelike networks. Interestingly, in 1, the host framework encapsulates hexameric water clusters that are connected into 1D arrays by supramolecular association along the 1D open channels. The UV/vis, IR spectra, fluorescence and TG analysis for complexes 1, 2 and 3 are also discussed.     

Theoretical study on the intramolecular proton transfer reactions of 3-methyl-5-hydroxyisoxazole and its water complexes

The optimized structures and proton transfer reactions of 3-methyl-5-hydroxyisoxazole and its water complexes (3-M-5-HIO · (H₂O)_n · (n = 0–3)) were computed at B3LYP and MP2 theoretical level. The results indicates that 3-M-5-HIO has four isomers (Ecis, Etrans, K1 and K2), and the keto tautomer, and K2 is the most stable isomer in the gas phase. Hydrogen bonding between 3-M-5-HIO and the water molecules can dramatically lower the barrier by the concerted transfer mechanism. Ecis · (H₂O)₃ → K1 · (H₂O)₃ and Ecis · (H₂O)₂ → K2 · (H₂O)₂ is found to be very efficient. Comparing with the proton transfer mechanism of 5-HIO shows that the methyl substitution prevents the intramolecular proton transfer.     

Structures of 3,3′-dicarbometoxy-2,2′-bipyridine complexes with silver(I) and copper(II) cations

The structures of 3,3′-dicarbometoxy-2,2′-bipyridine (dcmbpy) complexes with copper(II) and silver(I) cations have been determined using single crystal X-ray-diffraction. The crystals of Cu(dcmbpy)Cl₂ are monoclinic, C2/c, a = 16.966(3), b = 18.373(3), c = 13.154(2) Å, β = 126.543(3)°. The crystals of Ag(dcmbpy)NO₃ · H₂O are also monoclinic, C2/c, a = 16.7547(13), b = 11.0922(9), c = 18.7789(18) Å, β = 100.228(7)°. The results have been compared with the literature data on the complexes of dcmbpy and its precursors: 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) and 3,3′-dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine (dcbpy). Two types of complexes of 3,3′-carboxy derivatives of bpy are distinguished: (1) with metal atom bonded to two N atoms of the same molecule and (2) with metal atom bonded to two N atoms of two different molecules. The Cu(dcmbpy)Cl₂ complex belongs to the first type, whereas Ag(dcmbpy)NO₃ · H₂O belongs to the second type.     

Crystalline polysilicate magadiite with intercalated n-alkylmonoamine and some correlations involving thermochemical data

Synthesized hydrated lamellar acidic crystalline magadiite (H₂Si₁₄O₂₉·2H₂O) nanocompound was used as host for intercalation of polar n-alkylmonoamine molecules of the general formula H₃C(CH₂)_nNH₂ (n = 1–6) in aqueous solution. The original interlayer distance (d) of 1500 pm, determined by X-ray powder diffraction patterns, increases after intercalation. The values correlated with the number of aliphatic amine carbon (n_c) atoms: d = [(1312 ± 11) + (21 ± 2)]n_c. The amount of intercalated amines (N_s), decreased as n_c increased: N_s = [(5.82 ± 0.04) − (0.45 ± 0.01)]n_c. The acidic layered nanocompound was calorimetrically titrated with the amines and the thermodynamic data gave exothermic values for all guest molecules, as shown by the correlation: Δ_intH = −[(24.45 ± 0.49) − (1.91 ± 0.10)]n_c and d = [(1576 ± 16) − (10.8 ± 1.0)]Δ_intH. The negative values of the Gibbs energies and the positive entropies also presented the correlations: Δ_intG = −[(22.8 ± 0.2) − (0.2 ± 0.1)]n_c and Δ_intS = [(6 ± 1) + (5 ± 1)]n_c, respectively.     

Thermal decomposition study on mixed ligand thymine complexes of divalent nickel(II) with dianions of some dicarboxylic acids

Thermal decomposition of mixed ligand thymine (2,4-dihydroxy-5-methylpyrimidine) complexes of divalent Ni(II) with aspartate, glutamate and ADA (N-2-acetamido)iminodiacetate dianions was monitored by TG, DTG and DTA analysis in static atmosphere of air. The decomposition course and steps of complexes [Ni(C₅H₆N₂O₂)(C₄H₅NO₄)²⁻(H₂O)₂]·H₂O, [Ni(C₅H₆N₂O₂)(C₅H₇NO₄)²⁻(H₂O)₂]·H₂O and [Ni(C₅H₆N₂O₂)(C₆H₈N₂O₅)²⁻(H₂O)₂]·1.5H₂O were analyzed. The final decomposition products are found to be the corresponding metal oxides. The kinetic parameters namely, activation energy (E*), enthalpy (ΔH*), entropy (ΔS*) and free energy change of decomposition (ΔG*) are calculated from the TG curves using Coats–Redfern and Horowitz–Metzger equations. The stability order found for these complexes follows the trend aspartate > ADA > glutamate.     

Hydrogenmaleato bridged supramolecular double chains via π–π stacking interactions: syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties of ∞[Cu(phen)X(HL)2/2] with X=Cl (1), NO3 (2) and H2L=maleic acid

Two novel hydrogen maleato (HL) bridged Cu(II) complexes _∞¹[Cu(phen)Cl(HL)_2/2] 1 and _∞¹[Cu(phen)(NO₃)(HL)_2/2] 2 were obtained from reactions of 1,10-phenanthroline, maleic acid with CuCl₂·2H₂O and Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O, respectively, in CH₃OH/H₂O (1:1 v/v) at pH=2.0 and the crystal structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Both complexes crystallize isostructurally in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with cell dimensions: 1 a=8.639(2) Å, b=15.614(3) Å, c=11.326(2) Å, β=94.67(3)°, Z=4, D_calc=1.720 g/cm³ and 2 a=8.544(1) Å, b=15.517(2) Å, c=12.160(1) Å, β=90.84(8)°, Z=4, D_calc=1.734 g/cm³. In both complexes, the square pyramidally coordinated Cu atoms are bridged by hydrogen maleato ligands into 1D chains with the coordinating phen ligands parallel on one side. Interdigitation of the chelating phen ligands of two neighbouring chains via π–π stacking interactions forms supramolecular double chains, which are then arranged in the crystal structures according to pseudo 1D close packing patterns. Both complexes exhibit similar paramagnetic behavior obeying Curie–Weiss laws χ_m(T−θ)=0.414 cm³ mol⁻¹ K with the Weiss constants θ=−1.45, −1.0 K for 1 and 2, respectively.     

The ternary system H2O–Fe(NO3)3–Co(NO3)2 isotherms 0 and 15 °C

The solid–liquid equilibria of the ternary system H₂O–Fe(NO₃)₃–Co(NO₃)₂ were studied by using a synthetic method based on conductivity measurements.

Two isotherms were established at 0 and 15 °C, and the stable solid phases which appear are the iron nitrate nonahydrate (Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O), the iron nitrate hexahydrate (Fe(NO₃)₃·6H₂O), the cobalt nitrate hexahydrate (Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O) and the cobalt nitrate trihydrate (Co(NO₃)₂·3H₂O).     

Synthesis, spectral properties, crystal structures and antimicrobial effects of copper(II) pyridinecarboxylate adducts with chelating ligands

The reaction of an ethanolic solution of copper(II) pyridinecarboxylates CuX₂·nH₂O (where X is nicotinate (nic) (n=0) or isonicotinate (isonic) (n=4)) with ethylenediamine (en) in a molar ratio of 1:2 lead to the isolation of solid tetragonally distorted octahedral complexes of the type [Cu(en)₂(H₂O)₂]X₂·nH₂O (n=1 for nic; n=0 for isonic). The analogous reaction of CuX₂·nH₂O with diethylenetriamine (dien) in a molar ratio of 1:1 leads to the formation of square-pyramidal pentacoordinated complexes of the type [CuX(dien)(H₂O)]X. On the other hand, the reaction of equimolar quantities of copper(II) nitrate and dien with nicotinate anions (equimolar quantities of pyridinecarboxylic acid and NaOH) in ethanolic solutions gives a solid monomeric complex [Cu(nic)(NO₃)dien)(H₂O)]·H₂O in which the coordination polyhedron around the Cu(II) atom is a (4+1+1) distorted tetragonal bipyramid. Based on the molecular structure the electronic and IR spectra are discussed. Moreover, the results of the quantitative determination of antimicrobial activity of the isonic complexes [Cu(isonic)₂(H₂O)₄], [Cu(en)₂(H₂O)₂](isonic)₂, [Cu(isonic)(dien)(H₂O)](isonic), as well as isonicotinic acid, ethylenediamine and diethylenetriamine alone are discussed.     

Chains, ladders and sheets of d metal–organic polymers generated from the flexible bipyridyl ligands

By use of the three-layer diffusion method, reactions of flexible bipyridyl ligands (4,4′-bpp or 3,3′-bpp) with M(II) salts (M = Zn, Cd) and multi-carboxylate ligands resulted in the formation of four interesting d¹⁰ metal–organic coordination polymers: [Zn(μ-4,4′-bpp)Br₂]_n (1), [Zn(μ-4,4′-bpp)(1,2-bdc)]_n · nH₂O (2), [Zn(μ-3,3′-bpp)(1,3-bdc)]_n · nCH₃OH · 2nH₂O (3) and [Cd(μ-3,3′-bpp)(C₄H₂O₄)]_n · 3nH₂O (4) (4,4′-bpp = 2,2′-bis(4-pyridylmethyleneoxy)-1,1′-biphenylene; 3,3′-bpp = 2,2 ′-bis(3-pyridylmethyleneoxy)-1,1′-biphenylene; bdc=benzenedicarboxylate, C₄H₄O₄ = fumaric acid). Complex 1 has a 2D sheet structure consisting of two unusual zigzag Zn(II) chains which are nearly perpendicular to each other. Complex 2 is comprised of two-leg ladders, in which [Zn(4,4′-bpp)] chains serve as the side rails and 1,2-bdc ligands serve as the cross rungs. In complex 3, every two 1,3-bdc ligands connect the neighbouring Zn(II)-3,3′-bpp dimetallic rings in η¹ coordination modes into an interesting chain structure. Complex 4 consists of an anionic macrocycle-containing cadmium dicarboxylate sheets that are separated by 3,3′-bpp. These d¹⁰ metal complexes exhibit high thermal stabilities and strong luminescence efficiencies.     

Homochiral cobalt(II) and strontium(II) amino-carboxylate–phosphonate hybrids

Two homochiral metal amino-carboxylate–phosphonate hybrids, namely, [Co₂Cl(S-HL)(H₂O)₅]Cl · H₂O 1 and Sr₂(S-HL)(NO₃)₂(H₂O) · H₂O 2 (S-H₃L = S-HO₂CC₄H₇NCH₂PO₃H₂) have been synthesized by the reaction of the enantiopure S-H₃L ligand with cobalt(II) chloride or strontium nitrate under acidic condition at room temperature. The structure of compound 1 features a novel 3D framework with helical chains and channels. Compound 2 has a layered structure in which the 1D chains of edge-sharing SrO₈ and SrO₉ polyhedra are interconnected by phosphonate ligands.     

Manganese(II) complexes of 3,6,9-trioxaundecanedioic acid (3,6,9-tddaH2): X-ray crystal structures of [Mn(3,6,9-tdda) (H2O)2]·2H2O and {[Mn(3,6,9-tdda)(phen)2·3H2O]·EtOH}n

3,6,9-trioxaundecanedioic acid (3,6,9-tddaH₂) reacts with Mn(CH₃CO₂)₂·4H₂O in ethanol to give [Mn(3,6,9-tdda)]·H₂O (1). Recrystallization of 1 from methanol gives crystals of [Mn(3,6,9-tdda) (H₂O)₂]·2H₂O (2). Complex 1 reacts with an ethanolic solution of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) to give {[Mn(3,6,9-tdda)(phen)₂]·3H₂O·EtOH}_n (3). All of the complexes are extremely water soluble. Complexes 2 and 3 were structurally characterised. The manganese(II) ion in 2 is seven coordinate, with an approximately pentagonal bipyramidal O₇ coordination sphere. The axial donors are water molecules and the pentagonal plane is occupied by the diacid, acting as a pentadentate ligand through the three ethereal oxygens and one oxygen atom from each of the carboxylate functions. In complex 3 the manganese(II) ion is six-coordinate, being bound to two bidentate phenanthroline ligands and to the carboxylate oxygen atoms from two symmetry related diacids which are coordinated in a cis fashion. The structure consists of polymeric chains, with diacid ligands bridging the manganese ions. There is π-π stacking of pairs of phenanthroline ligands on adjacent chains, running along both the z and y directions.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure and characterization of [Zn(H2O)4]2 [H2As6V15O42(H2O)]·2H2O

The compound [Zn(H₂O)₄]₂[H₂As₆V₁₅O₄₂(H₂O)]·2H₂O (1) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ESR, magnetic measurement, third-order nonlinear property study and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound 1 crystallizes in trigonal space group R3, a=b=12.0601(17) Å, c=33.970(7) Å, γ=120°, V=4278.8(12) Å³, Z=3 and R1(wR2)=0.0512 (0.1171). The crystal structure is constructed from [H₂As₆V₁₅O₄₂(H₂O)]⁴⁻ anions and [Zn(H₂O)₄]²⁺ cations linked through hydrogen bonds into a network. The [H₂As₆V₁₅O₄₂(H₂O)]⁶⁻ cluster consists of 15 VO₅ square pyramids linked by three As₂O₅ handle-like units.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of Cu(II) compounds bridged by the terephthalate ligand and hydrogen bonds

A 3D network [Cu(tmen)(tp)(H₂O)₂]_n (1) (tmen = N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine; tp = terephthalate) and a 2D sheet [Cu(pyrazole)₂(tp)]_n (2), featuring 1D chains interwoven by hydrogen bonds, have been prepared and characterized by means of X-ray analyses and magnetic measurements. For 1, coordinative zigzag chains contain Cu(II) centers capped by the chelate ligand tmen, in which the tetragonal structure is elongated due to Jahn–Teller distortion. Coordinated water molecules are hydrogen-bonded to two free carboxylate oxygens of tp bridges, leading to the observed 3D structure. The use of the non-chelating capping ligand pyrazole produced the covalent-bonded 1D linear compound 2 with hydrogen bonds. A severe octahedral distortion of the Cu(II) center arises from a small bite angle (52.3(1)°) of two carboxylate oxygen atoms of tp, which are in turn hydrogen-bonded to the N–H groups of pyrazole ligands coordinated to Cu(II) atoms in neighboring chains. Magnetic data were fitted with the high-temperature series expansion for the Heisenberg chain spin Hamiltonian H = −J∑_iS_i · S_i + 1 together with consideration of the molecular field approximation (zJ′). Both compounds interestingly exhibit ferromagnetic interactions with g = 2.17, J = 4.08 cm⁻¹, zJ′ = −0.28 cm⁻¹ for 1 and g = 2.09, J = 1.47 cm⁻¹, zJ′ = −0.04 cm⁻¹ for 2. By taking into account structural parameters of distances between Cu atoms, it is reasonably assigned that the ferromagnetic couplings (J > 0) in these systems originate from the hydrogen bonds. The spin density of the d_x²-y² orbital on a Cu(II) atom in a chain is propagated and induced over the d_z² orbital of another Cu(II) atom in an adjacent chain. This orbital orthogonality gives rise to such interactions. The negative zJ′ term suggests that the tp bridges communicate only tiny antiferromagnetic interactions.     

Three new polynuclear tetracarboxylato-bridged copper(II) complexes: Syntheses, X-ray structure and magnetic properties

The synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic measurements of three new polynuclear tetracarboxylato-bridged copper(II) complexes, i.e. {[Cu₄(phen)₂(μ-O₂CC₂H₅)₈] · (H₂O)}_n (1), [Cu₂(μ-O₂CC₆H₄OH)₄(C₇H₇NO)₂] · 6H₂O (2) and [Cu₂(μ-O₂CCH₃)₄(C₇H₇NO)₂] (3) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, O₂CC₆H₄OH = 3-hydroxy benzoate, C₇H₇NO = 4-acetylpyridine) are reported. All compounds consist of dinuclear units, in which two Cu(II) ions are bridged by four syn,syn-η¹:η¹:μ carboxylates, showing a paddle-wheel cage type with a square-pyramidal geometry, arranged in different ways. The structure of compound 1 consists of an one-dimensional structure generated by an alternating classical dinuclear paddle-wheel unit and an unusual dinuclear Cu₂(μ-OCOC₂H₅)₂(μ-O₂CC₂H₅)₂(phen)₂unit, which are connected to each other via a syn,anti-triatomic propionato bridge in an axial-equatorial configuration. The adjacent chains are connected to generate a 2D structure through the face-to-face π–π interaction between phen rings. Structures of compounds 2 and 3 both consist of a symmetric dinuclear Cu(II) carboxylate paddle-wheel core and pyridyl nitrogen atoms of 4-acetylpyridine ligand at the apical position, and just differ in the substituents of the equatorial ligands.

The magnetic properties have been measured and correlated with the molecular structures. It is found that in the two classical paddle-wheel compounds the Cu(II) ions are strongly antiferromagnetically coupled with J = −278.5 and −287.0 cm⁻¹ for complexes 2 and 3, respectively. In compound 1 the magnetic susceptibility could be fitted with two different, independent Cu(II) units, one strongly coupled and one weakly coupled; the paddle-wheel dinuclear unit has the strongest antiferromagetic coupling with a value for J of −299.5 cm⁻¹, whereas the Cu(II) ions in the propionato-bridged dinuclear unit of 1 display a very weak antiferromagnetic coupling with a value for J = −0.75 cm⁻¹, due to the orthogonality of the magnetic orbitals. Also the exchange within the chain is therefore very weak. The magneto-structural correlations for complexes 1, 2, and 3 are discussed on the basis of the structural parameters and magnetic data for the complexes.