Syntheses, crystal structures, and magneto-structural correlations of novel Cu(II) complexes containing a planar [Cu(mu-L1)]2 (HL1 = 3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole) unit: from dinuclear to tetranuclear and then to one-dimensional compounds

Seven new Cu(II) complexes based on a binuclear planar unit [Cu(mu-L(1))](2), [[Cu(mu-L(1))(NO(3))(H(2)O)](2) (1), [Cu(mu-L(1))(HL(1))(ClO(4))](2) (2), [Cu(4)(mu-L(1))(6)(NO(3))(2)] (3), [Cu(4)(mu-L(1))(6)(L(1))(2)] (4), [Cu(4)(mu-L(1))(6)(mu-L(2))](n) (5), [Cu(4)(mu-L(1))(6)(mu-L(3))](n) (6), [[Cu(4)(mu-L(1))(4)(mu-L(4))(2)](H(2)O)(3)](n) (7) (HL(1) = 3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole, L(2) = 1,8-naphthalenedicarboxylate, L(3) = terephthalate, L(4) = 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate)}, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and X-ray diffraction. In 1 and 2, the Cu(II) centers are linked by deprotonated pyrazolyl groups to form dinuclear structures. 3 and 4 have similar gridlike tetranuclear structures in which two additional deprotonated L(1) ligands bridge two [Cu(mu-L(1))](2) units perpendicularly. 5 and 6 consist of similar one-dimensional (1-D) chains in which gridlike tetranuclear copper(II) units similar to that of 3 are further linked by L(2) or L(3) ligands, respectively. And, in 7, L(4) ligands link [Cu(mu-L(1))](2) binuclear units to form a tetranuclear gridlike structure in chelating/bridging mode and simultaneously bridge the tetranuclear units to form a 1-D chain. The magnetic properties of all complexes were studied by variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements. The obtained parameters of J range from -33.1 to -211 cm(-1), indicating very strong antiferromagnetic coupling between Cu(II) ions. The main factor that affects the |J| parameter is the geometry of the Cu(N(2))(2)Cu entity. From the magnetic point of view, 1 and 2 feature "pure" dinuclear, 3 and 5 tetranuclear, and 4, 6, and 7 pseudodinuclear moieties.     

Copper(II) mediated anion dependent formation of Schiff base complexes

A tetranuclear mixed ligand copper(II) complex of a pyrazole containing Schiff base and a hydroxyhexahydropyrimidylpyrazole and copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of the Schiff base having N-donor atoms have been investigated. A 2 equiv amount of 5-methyl-3-formylpyrazole (MPA) and 2 equiv of 1,3-diamino-2-propanol (1,3-DAP) on reaction with 1 equiv of copper(II) nitrate produce an unusual tetranuclear mixed ligand complex [Cu4(L1)2(L2)2(NO3)2] (1), where H2L1 = 1,3-bis(5-methyl-3-formylpyrazolylmethinimino)propane-2-ol and HL2 = 5-methyl-3-(5-hydroxyhexahydro-2-pyrimidyl)pyrazole. In contrast, a similar reaction with nickel(II) nitrate leads to the formation of a hygroscopic intractable material. On the other hand, the reaction involving 2 equiv of MPA and 1 equiv each of 1,3-DAP and various copper(II) salts gives rise to two types of products, viz. [Cu(T3-porphyrinogen)(H2O)]X2 (X = ClO4, NO3, BF4 (2)) (T3-porphyrinogen = 1,6,11,16-tetraza-5,10,15,20-tetrahydroxy-2,7,12,17-tetramethylporphyrinogen) and [Cu(H2L1)X]X x H2O (X = Cl (3), Br (4)). The same reaction carried out with nickel(II) salts also produces two types of compounds [Ni(H2L1)(H2O)2]X2 [X = ClO4 (5), NO3 (6), BF4 (7)] and [Ni(H2L1)X2] x H2O [X = Cl (8), Br (9)]. Among the above species 1, 3, and 5 are crystallographically characterized. In 1, all four copper atoms are in distorted square pyramidal geometry with N4O chromophore around two terminal copper atoms and N5 chromophore around two inner copper atoms. In 3, the copper atom is also in distorted square pyramidal geometry with N4Cl chromophore. The nickel atom in 5 is in a distorted octahedral geometry with N4O2 chromophore, where the metal atom is slightly pulled toward one of the axial coordinated water molecules. Variable-temperature (300 to 2 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements have been carried out for complex 1. The separations between the metal centers, viz., Cu(1)...Cu(2), Cu(2)...Cu(2)A, and Cu(2)A...Cu(1)A are 3.858, 3.89, and 3.858 A, respectively. The overall magnetic behavior is consistent with strong antiferromagnetic interactions between the spin centers. The exchange coupling constants between Cu(1)...Cu(2) and Cu(2)...Cu(2A) centers have turned out to be -305.3 and -400.7 cm(-1), respectively, resulting in a S = 1/2 ground state. The complexes are further characterized by UV-vis, IR, electron paramagnetic resonance, and electrochemical studies.     

Structures and magnetic properties of an antiferromagnetically coupled polymeric copper(II) complex and ferromagnetically coupled hexanuclear nickel(II) clusters

Reactions between 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol (DFMF) and tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (THMAM = H(3)L2) in the presence of copper(II) salts, CuX(2) (X = CH(3)CO(2)(-), BF(4)(-), ClO(4)(-), Cl(-), NO(3)(-)) and Ni(CH(3)CO(2))(2) or Ni(ClO(4))(2)/NaC(6)H(5)CO(2), sodium azide (NaN(3)), and triethylamine (TEA), in one pot self-assemble giving a coordination polymer consisting of repeating pentanuclear copper(II) clusters {[Cu(2)(H(5)L(2-))(μ-N(3))](2)[Cu(N(3))(4)]·2CH(3)OH}(n) (1) and hexanuclear Ni(II) complexes [Ni(6)(H(3)L1(-))(2)(HL2(2-))(2)(μ-N(3))(4)(CH(3)CO(2))(2)]·6C(3)H(7)NO·C(2)H(5)OH (2) and [Ni(6)(H(3)L1(-))(2)(HL2(2-))(2)(μ-N(3))(4)(C(6)H(5)CO(2))(2)]·3C(3)H(7)NO·3H(2)O·CH(3)OH (3). In 1, H(5)L(2-) and in 2 and 3 H(3)L1(-) and HL2(2-) represent doubly deprotonated, singly deprotonated, and doubly deprotonated Schiff-base ligands H(7)L and H(4)L1 and a tripodal ligand H(3)L2, respectively. 1 has a novel double-stranded ladder-like structure in which [Cu(N(3))(4)](2-) anions link single chains comprised of dinuclear cationic subunits [Cu(2)(H(5)L(2-))(μ-N(3))](+), forming a 3D structure of interconnected ladders through H bonding. Nickel(II) clusters 2 and 3 have very similar neutral hexanuclear cores in which six nickel(II) ions are bonded to two H(4)L1, two H(3)L2, four μ-azido, and two μ-CH(3)CO(2)(-)/μ-C(6)H(5)CO(2)(-) ligands. In each structure two terminal dinickel (Ni(2)) units are connected to the central dinickel unit through four doubly bridging end-on (EO) μ-azido and four triply bridging μ(3)-methoxy bridges organizing into hexanuclear units. In each terminal dinuclear unit two nickel centers are bridged through one μ-phenolate oxygen from H(3)L1(-), one μ(3)-methoxy oxygen from HL2(2-), and one μ-CH(3)CO(2)(-) (2)/μ-C(6)H(5)CO(2)(-) (3) ion. Bulk magnetization measurements on 1 show moderately strong antiferromagnetic coupling within the [Cu(2)] building block (J(1) = -113.5 cm(-1)). Bulk magnetization measurements on 2 and 3 demonstrate that the magnetic interactions are completely dominated by ferromagnetic coupling occurring between Ni(II) ions for all bridges with coupling constants (J(1), J(2), and J(3)) ranging from 2.10 to 14.56 cm(-1) (in the ? = -J(1)(?(1)?(2)) - J(1)(?(2)?(3)) - J(2)(?(3)?(4)) - J(1)(?(4)?(5)) - J(1)(?(5)?(6)) - J(2)(?(1)?(6)) - J(3)(?(2)?(6)) - J(3)(?(2)?(5)) - J(3)(?(3)?(5)) convention).     

Di- and tetra-nuclear copper(II), nickel(II), and cobalt(II) complexes of four bis-tetradentate triazole-based ligands: synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties

Four bis-tetradentate N(4)-substituted-3,5-{bis[bis-N-(2-pyridinemethyl)]aminomethyl}-4H-1,2,4-triazole ligands, L(Tz1)-L(Tz4), differing only in the triazole N(4) substituent R (where R is amino, pyrrolyl, phenyl, or 4-tertbutylphenyl, respectively) have been synthesized, characterized, and reacted with M(II)(BF(4))(2)·6H(2)O (M(II) = Cu, Ni or Co) and Co(SCN)(2). Experiments using all 16 possible combinations of metal salt and L(TzR) were carried out: 14 pure complexes were obtained, 11 of which are dinuclear, while the other three are tetranuclear. The dinuclear complexes include two copper(II) complexes, [Cu(II)(2)(L(Tz2))(H(2)O)(4)](BF(4))(4) (2), [Cu(II)(2)(L(Tz4))(BF(4))(2)](BF(4))(2) (4); two nickel(II) complexes, [Ni(II)(2)(L(Tz1))(H(2)O)(3)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(4)·0.5(CH(3)CN) (5) and [Ni(II)(2)(L(Tz4))(H(2)O)(4)](BF(4))(4)·H(2)O (8); and seven cobalt(II) complexes, [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz1))(μ-BF(4))](BF(4))(3)·H(2)O (9), [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz2))(μ-BF(4))](BF(4))(3)·2H(2)O (10), [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz3))(H(2)O)(2)](BF(4))(4) (11), [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz4))(μ-BF(4))](BF(4))(3)·3H(2)O (12), [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz1))(SCN)(4)]·3H(2)O (13), [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz2))(SCN)(4)]·2H(2)O (14), and [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz3))(SCN)(4)]·H(2)O (15). The tetranuclear complexes are [Cu(II)(4)(L(Tz1))(2)(H(2)O)(2)(BF(4))(2)](BF(4))(6) (1), [Cu(II)(4)(L(Tz3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)(μ-F)(2)](BF(4))(6)·0.5H(2)O (3), and [Ni(II)(4)(L(Tz3))(2)(H(2)O)(4)(μ-F(2))](BF(4))(6)·6.5H(2)O (7). Single crystal X-ray structure determinations revealed different solvent content from that found by microanalysis of the bulk sample after drying under a vacuum and confirmed that 5', 8', 9', 11', 12', and 15' are dinuclear while 1' and 7' are tetranuclear. As expected, magnetic measurements showed that weak antiferromagnetic intracomplex interactions are present in 1, 2, 4, 7, and 8, stabilizing a singlet spin ground state. All seven of the dinuclear cobalt(II) complexes, 9-15, have similar magnetic behavior and remain in the [HS-HS] state between 300 and 1.8 K.     

Synthesis, structures, and magnetic behavior of a series of copper(II) azide polymers of Cu4 building clusters and isolation of a new hemiaminal ether as the metal complex

Four new neutral copper azido polymers, [Cu(4)(N(3))(8)(L(1))(2)](n) (1), [Cu(4)(N(3))(8)(L(2))(2)](n) (2), [Cu(4)(N(3))(8)(L(3))(2)](n) (3), and [Cu(9)(N(3))(18)(L(4))(4)](n) (4) [L(1-4) are formed in situ by reacting pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde with 2-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]pyridine (mapy, L(1)), N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (N,N-dmen, L(2)), N,N-diethylethylenediamine (N,N-deen, L(3)), and N,N,2,2-tetramethylpropanediamine (N,N,2,2-tmpn, L(4))], have been synthesized by using 0.5 mol equiv of the chelating tridentate ligands with Cu(NO(3))(2)·3H(2)O and an excess of NaN(3). Single-crystal X-ray structures show that the basic unit of these complexes, especially 1-3, contains very similar Cu(II)(4) building blocks. The overall structure of 3 is two-dimensional, while the other three complexes are one-dimensional in nature. Complex 1 represents a unique example containing hemiaminal ether arrested by copper(II). Complexes 1 and 2 have a rare bridging azido pathway: both end-on and end-to-end bridging azides between a pair of Cu(II) centers. Cryomagnetic susceptibility measurements over a wide range of temperature exhibit dominant ferromagnetic behavior in all four complexes. Density functional theory calculations (B3LYP functional) have been performed on complexes 1-3 to provide a qualitative theoretical interpretation of their overall ferromagnetic behavior.     

Phosphodiester cleavage properties of copper(II) complexes of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane ligands bearing single alkyl guanidine pendants

Three new metal-coordinating ligands, L(1)·4HCl [1-(2-guanidinoethyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane tetrahydrochloride], L(2)·4HCl [1-(3-guanidinopropyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane tetrahydrochloride], and L(3)·4HCl [1-(4-guanidinobutyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane tetrahydrochloride], have been prepared via the selective N-functionalization of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (tacn) with ethylguanidine, propylguanidine, and butylguanidine pendants, respectively. Reaction of L(1)·4HCl with Cu(ClO(4))(2)·6H(2)O in basic aqueous solution led to the crystallization of a monohydroxo-bridged binuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu(2)L(1)(2)(μ-OH)](ClO(4))(3)·H(2)O (C1), while for L(2) and L(3), mononuclear complexes of composition [Cu(L(2)H)Cl(2)]Cl·(MeOH)(0.5)·(H(2)O)(0.5) (C2) and [Cu(L(3)H)Cl(2)]Cl·(DMF)(0.5)·(H(2)O)(0.5) (C3) were crystallized from methanol and DMF solutions, respectively. X-ray crystallography revealed that in addition to a tacn ring from L(1) ligand, each copper(II) center in C1 is coordinated to a neutral guanidine pendant. In contrast, the guanidinium pendants in C2 and C3 are protonated and extend away from the Cu(II)-tacn units. Complex C1 features a single μ-hydroxo bridge between the two copper(II) centers, which mediates strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the metal centers. Complexes C2 and C3 cleave two model phosphodiesters, bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) and 2-hydroxypropyl-p-nitrophenylphosphate (HPNPP), more rapidly than C1, which displays similar reactivity to [Cu(tacn)(OH(2))(2)](2+). All three complexes cleave supercoiled plasmid DNA (pBR 322) at significantly faster rates than the corresponding bis(alkylguanidine) complexes and [Cu(tacn)(OH(2))(2)](2+). The high DNA cleavage rate for C1 {k(obs) = 1.30 (±0.01) × 10(-4) s(-1) vs 1.23 (±0.37) × 10(-5) s(-1) for [Cu(tacn)(OH(2))(2)](2+) and 1.58 (±0.05) × 10(-5) s(-1) for the corresponding bis(ethylguanidine) analogue} indicates that the coordinated guanidine group in C1 may be displaced to allow for substrate binding/activation. Comparison of the phosphate ester cleavage properties of complexes C1-C3 with those of related complexes suggests some degree of cooperativity between the Cu(II) centers and the guanidinium groups.     

Metal-free and dicopper(II) complexes of Schiff base [2 + 2] macrocycles derived from 2,2'-iminobisbenzaldehyde: syntheses, structures, and electrochemistry

Three new bis-terdentate Schiff base [2 + 2] macrocycles (H(2)L(Et), H(2)L(Pr), and H(2)L(Bu)) have been prepared in high yields by 1:1 condensation of 2,2'-iminobisbenzaldehyde with 1,2-diaminoethane, 1,3-diaminopropane, and 1,4-diaminobutane, respectively. Metalation of these macrocycles yields the corresponding dicopper(II) acetate (1, 2, and 3) and tetrafluoroborate (4, 5, and 6) complexes. The structures of H(2)L(Et), H(2)L(Pr), H(2)L(Bu), [Cu(II)(2)L(i)(OAc)(2)]·solvents (where i is Et, Pr or Bu) and [Cu(II)(2)L(Pr)(DMF)(4)] (BF(4))(2)·0.5H(2)O are reported. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding is a feature of the metal-free macrocycles. The copper(II) centers in [Cu(II)(2)L(i)(OAc)(2)]·solvents are four coordinate, and the macrocycles have U-shaped (Et, Bu) or stepped (Pr) conformations. Complex 5 crystallizes with two dimethylformamide (DMF) molecules bound per five coordinate copper(II) center. Electrochemical studies revealed ligand based oxidations for all of the macrocycles and complexes. Complexes 1 and 2 undergo two quasi-reversible oxidations in DCM which are associated with the deposition of a visible film on the electrode after multiple scans in this oxidative region, suggestive of electropolymerization. Complexes 4-6, studied in MeCN, have Cu(II) → Cu(I) redox potentials at more positive potentials than for 1-3.     

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.     

Copper(II) carboxylate dimers prepared from ligands designed to form a robust π···π stacking synthon: supramolecular structures and molecular properties

The reactions of bifunctional carboxylate ligands (1,8-naphthalimido)propanoate, (L(C2)(-)), (1,8-naphthalimido)ethanoate, (L(C1)(-)), and (1,8-naphthalimido)benzoate, (L(C4)(-)) with Cu(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(4)(H(2)O)(2) in methanol or ethanol at room temperature lead to the formation of novel dimeric [Cu(2)(L(C2))(4)(MeOH)(2)] (1), [Cu(2)(L(C1))(4)(MeOH)(2)]·2(CH(2)Cl(2)) (2), [Cu(2)(L(C4))(4)(EtOH)(2)]·2(CH(2)Cl(2)) (3) complexes. When the reaction of L(C1)(-) with Cu(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(4)(H(2)O)(2) was carried out at -20 °C in the presence of pyridine, [Cu(2)(L(C1))(4)(py)(4)]·2(CH(2)Cl(2)) (4) was produced. At the core of complexes 1-3 lies the square Cu(2)(O(2)CR)(4) "paddlewheel" secondary building unit, where the two copper centers have a nearly square pyramidal geometry with methanol or ethanol occupying the axial coordination sites. Complex 4 contains a different type of dimeric core generated by two κ(1)-bridging carboxylate ligands. Additionally, two terminal carboxylates and four trans situated pyridine molecules complete the coordination environment of the five-coordinate copper(II) centers. In all four compounds, robust π···π stacking interactions of the naphthalimide rings organize the dimeric units into two-dimensional sheets. These two-dimensional networks are organized into a three-dimensional architecture by two different noncovalent interactions: strong π···π stacking of the naphthalimide rings (also the pyridine rings for 4) in 1, 3, and 4, and intermolecular hydrogen bonding of the coordinated methanol or ethanol molecules in 1-3. Magnetic measurements show that the copper ions in the paddlewheel complexes 1-3 are strongly antiferromagnetically coupled with -J values ranging from 255 to 325 cm(-1), whereas the copper ions in 4 are only weakly antiferromagnetically coupled. Typical values of the zero-field splitting parameter D were found from EPR studies of 1-3and the related known complexes [Cu(2)(L(C2))(4)(py)(2)]·2(CH(2)Cl(2))·(CH(3)OH), [Cu(2)(L(C3))(4)(py)(2)]·2(CH(2)Cl(2)) and [Cu(2)(L(C3))(4)(bipy)]·(CH(3)OH)(2)·(CH(2)Cl(2))(3.37) (L(C3)(-) = (1,8-naphthalimido)butanoate)), while its abnormal magnitude in [Cu(2)(L(C2))(4)(bipy)] was qualitatively rationalized by structural analysis and DFT calculations.     

Rational assembly of soluble copper(II) phosphonates: synthesis, structure and magnetism of molecular tetranuclear copper(II) phosphonates

The reactions of the dinuclear copper complexes [Cu(2)(L)(OAc)] [H(3)L = N,N'-(2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diyl)bis(salicylaldimine) or [Cu(2)(L')(OAc)] (H(3)L' = N,N'-(2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diyl)bis(4,5-dimethylsalicylaldimine)] with various phosphonic acids, RPO(3)H(2) (R = t-Bu, Ph, c-C(5)H(9), c-C(6)H(11) or 2,4,6-i-Pr(3)-C(6)H(2)), leads to the replacement of the acetate bridge affording tetranuclear copper(II) phosphonates, [Cu(4)(L)(2)(t-BuPO(3))](CH(3)OH)(2)(C(6)H(6)) (1), [Cu(4)(L)(2)(PhPO(3))(H(2)O)(2)(NMe(2)CHO)](H(2)O)(2) (2), [Cu(4)(L')(2)(C(5)H(9)PO(3))](CH(3)OH)(2) (3), [Cu(4)(L')(2)(C(6)H(11)PO(3)](MeOH)(4)(H(2)O)(2) (4) and [Cu(4)(L')(2)(C(30)H(46)P(2)O(5))](PhCH(3)) (5). The molecular structures of 1-4 reveal that a [RPO(3)](2-) ligand is involved in holding the four copper atoms together by a 4.211 coordination mode. In 5, an in situ formed [(RPO(2))(2)O](4-) ligand bridges two pairs of the dinuclear subunits. Magnetic studies on these complexes reveal that the phosphonate ligand is an effective conduit for magnetic interaction among the four copper centers present; a predominantly antiferromagnetic interaction is observed at low temperatures.     

Synthesis, characterization, crystal structure and preliminary reactivity behaviour of new heteropolytopic ligands based on the 1,3,5-triazine spacer and pyrazolyl, tris-pyrazolylmethyl and tris-pyrazolylethoxy bonding fragments

Four new potentially polytopic nitrogen donor ligands based on the 1,3,5-triazine fragment, L(1)-L(4) (L(1) = 2-chloro-4,6-di(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine, L(2) = N,N'-bis(4,6-di(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)ethane-1,2-diamine, L(3) = 2,4,6-tris(tri(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-1,3,5-triazine, and L(4) = 2,4,6-tris(2,2,2-tri(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethoxy)-1,3,5-triazine) have been synthesized and characterized. The X-ray crystal structure of L(3) confirms that its molecular nature consists of a 1,3,5-triazine ring bearing three tripodal tris(pyrazolyl) arms. L(1), L(2), and L(4) react with Cu(I), Cu(II), Pd(II) and Ag(I) salts yielding mono-, di-, and oligonuclear derivatives: [Cu(L(1))(Cy(3)P)]ClO(4), [{Ag(2)(L(2))}(CF(3)SO(3))(2)]·H(2)O, [Cu(2)(L(2))(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2)·H(2)O, [Cu(2)(L(2))(CH(3)COO)(2)](CH(3)COO)(2)·3H(2)O, [Pd(2)(L(2))(Cl)(4)]·2H(2)O, [Ru(L(2))(Cl)(OH)]·CH(3)OH, [Ag(3)(L(4))(2)](CF(3)SO(3))(3) and [Ag(3)(L(4))(2)](BF(4))(3). The interaction of L(3) with Ag(I), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Ru(II) complexes unexpectedly produced the hydrolysis of the ligand with formation, in all cases, of tris(pyrazolyl)methane (TPM) derivatives. In detail, the already known [Ag(TPM)(2)](CF(3)SO(3)) and [Cu(TPM)(2)](NO(3))(2), as well as the new [Zn(TPM)(2)](CF(3)SO(3))(2) and [Ru(TMP)(p-cymene)]Cl(OH)·2H(2)O complexes have been isolated. Single-crystal XRD determinations on the latter derivatives confirm their formulation, evidencing, for the Ru(II) complex, an interesting supramolecular arrangement of the anions and crystallization water molecules.     

Heterobridged dinuclear, tetranuclear, dinuclear-based 1-d, and heptanuclear-based 1-D complexes of copper(II) derived from a dinucleating ligand: syntheses, structures, magnetochemistry, spectroscopy, and catecholase activity

The work in this paper presents syntheses, characterization, crystal structures, variable-temperature/field magnetic properties, catecholase activity, and electrospray ionization mass spectroscopic (ESI-MS positive) study of five copper(II) complexes of composition [Cu(II)(2)L(μ(1,1)-NO(3))(H(2)O)(NO(3))](NO(3)) (1), [{Cu(II)(2)L(μ-OH)(H(2)O)}(μ-ClO(4))](n)(ClO(4))(n) (2), [{Cu(II)(2)L(NCS)(2)}(μ(1,3)-NCS)](n) (3), [{Cu(II)(2)L(μ(1,1)-N(3))(ClO(4))}(2)(μ(1,3)-N(3))(2)] (4), and [{Cu(II)(2)L(μ-OH)}{Cu(II)(2)L(μ(1,1)-N(3))}{Cu(II)(μ(1,1)-N(3))(4)(dmf)}{Cu(II)(2)(μ(1,1)-N(3))(2)(N(3))(4)}](n)·ndmf (5), derived from a new compartmental ligand 2,6-bis[N-(2-pyridylethyl)formidoyl]-4-ethylphenol, which is the 1:2 condensation product of 4-ethyl-2,6-diformylphenol and 2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine. The title compounds are either of the following nuclearities/topologies: dinuclear (1), dinuclear-based one-dimensional (2 and 3), tetranuclear (4), and heptanuclear-based one-dimensional (5). The bridging moieties in 1-5 are as follows: μ-phenoxo-μ(1,1)-nitrate (1), μ-phenoxo-μ-hydroxo and μ-perchlorate (2), μ-phenoxo and μ(1,3)-thiocyanate (3), μ-phenoxo-μ(1,1)-azide and μ(1,3)-azide (4), μ-phenoxo-μ-hydroxo, μ-phenoxo-μ(1,1)-azide, and μ(1,1)-azide (5). All the five compounds exhibit overall antiferromagnetic interaction. The J values in 1-4 have been determined (-135 cm(-1) for 1, -298 cm(-1) for 2, -105 cm(-1) for 3, -119.5 cm(-1) for 4). The pairwise interactions in 5 have been evaluated qualitatively to result in S(T) = 3/2 spin ground state, which has been verified by magnetization experiment. Utilizing 3,5-di-tert-butyl catechol (3,5-DTBCH(2)) as the substrate, catecholase activity of all the five complexes have been checked. While 1 and 3 are inactive, complexes 2, 4, and 5 show catecholase activity with turn over numbers 39 h(-1) (for 2), 40 h(-1) (for 4), and 48 h(-1) (for 5) in dmf and 167 h(-1) (for 2) and 215 h(-1) (for 4) in acetonitrile. Conductance of the dmf solution of the complexes has been measured, revealing that bridging moieties and nuclearity have been almost retained in solution. Electrospray ionization mass (ESI-MS positive) spectra of complexes 1, 2, and 4 have been recorded in acetonitrile solutions and the positive ions have been well characterized. ESI-MS positive spectrum of complex 2 in presence of 3,5-DTBCH(2) have also been recorded and, interestingly, a positive ion [Cu(II)(2)L(μ-3,5-DTBC(2-))(3,5-DTBCH(-))Na(I)](+) has been identified.     

Antisymmetric exchange in triangular tricopper(II) complexes: correlation among structural, magnetic, and electron paramagnetic resonance parameters

Two new trinuclear copper(II) complexes, [Cu(3)(μ(3)-OH)(daat)(Hdat)(2)(ClO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(3)](ClO(4))(2)·2H(2)O (1) and [Cu(3)(μ(3)-OH)(aaat)(3)(H(2)O)(3)](ClO(4))(2)·3H(2)O (2) (daat = 3,5-diacetylamino-1,2,4-triazolate, Hdat = 3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole, and aaat = 3-acetylamino-5-amino-1,2,4-triazolate), have been prepared from 1,2,4-triazole derivatives and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structures of 1 and 2 consist of cationic trinuclear copper(II) complexes with a Cu(3)OH core held by three N,N-triazole bridges between each pair of copper(II) atoms. The copper atoms are five-coordinate with distorted square-pyramidal geometries. The magnetic properties of 1 and 2 and those of five other related 1,2,4-triazolato tricopper(II) complexes with the same triangular structure (3-7) (whose crystal structures were already reported) have been investigated in the temperature range of 1.9-300 K. The formulas of 3-7 are [Cu(3)(μ(3)-OH)(aaat)(3)(H(2)O)(3)](NO(3))(2)·H(2)O (3), {[Cu(3)(μ(3)-OH)(aat)(3)(μ(3)-SO(4))]·6H(2)O}(n) (4), and [Cu(3)(μ(3)-OH)(aat)(3)A(H(2)O)(2)]A·xH(2)O [A = NO(3)(-) (5), CF(3)SO(3)(-) (6), or ClO(4)(-) (7); x = 0 or 2] (aat =3-acetylamino-1,2,4-triazolate). The magnetic and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) data have been analyzed by using the following isotropic and antisymmetric exchange Hamiltonian: H = -J[S(1)S(2) + S(2)S(3)] - j[S(1)S(3)] + G[S(1) × S(2) + S(2) × S(3) + S(1) × S(3)]. 1-7 exhibit strong antiferromagnetic coupling (values for both -J and -j in the range of 210-142 cm(-1)) and antisymmetric exchange (G varying from to 27 to 36 cm(-1)). At low temperatures, their EPR spectra display high-field (g < 2.0) signals indicating that the triangles present symmetry lower than equilateral and that the antisymmetric exchange is operative. A magneto-structural study showing a lineal correlation between the Cu-O-Cu angle of the Cu(3)OH core and the isotropic exchange parameters (J and j) has been conducted. Moreover, a model based on Moriya's theory that allows the prediction of the occurrence of antisymmetric exchange in the tricopper(II) triangles, via analysis of the overlap between the ground and excited states of the local Cu(II) ions, has been proposed. In addition, analytical expressions for evaluating both the isotropic and antisymmetric exchange parameters from the experimental magnetic susceptibility data of triangular complexes with local spins (S) of (1)/(2), (3)/(2), or (5)/(2) have been purposely derived. Finally, the magnetic and EPR results of this work are discussed and compared with those of other tricopper(II) triangles reported in the literature.     

Two novel inorganic-organic hybrid materials constructed from two kinds of octamolybdate clusters and flexible tetradentate ligands

Two novel hybrid materials based on two kinds of octamolybdate anions and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), namely, [Ag(8)(L(1))(4)(α-Mo(8)O(26))(β-Mo(8)O(26))(H(2)O)(3)]·H(2)O (1) and [Cu(I)(3.1)Cu(II)(0.5)(β-Mo(8)O(26))(0.5)(ζ-Mo(7)(VI)Mo(V)O(26))(0.5)(L(2))(2)(H(0.8)L(2))(0.5)] (2), where L(1) = 1,1'-(1,3-propanediyl)bis[2-(4-pyridyl)benzimidazole] and L(2) = 1,1'-(1,4-butanediyl)bis[2-(3-pyridyl)benzimidazole], have been successfully synthesized. Crystal structure analysis revealed that 1 is a three-dimensional (3D) framework constructed of silver(I)-organic sheets and two types of (Mo(8)O(26))(4-) isomers. Compound 2 is a rare 3D framework containing copper(I,II)-organic cages and 1D channels occupied by the (ζ-Mo(7)(VI)Mo(V)O(26))(5-) and (β-Mo(8)O(26))(4-) anions. The two compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, diffuse reflectivity spectroscopy, and photoluminescent spectroscopy. In addition, the photocatalytic behavior of 1 was investigated.     

Synthesis, characterization and structural transformation of a discrete tetragonal metalloprism

A novel M(2)L(4) tetragonal metalloprism, [(NO(3)(-))?{Cu(2)(μ-Hdpma)(4)}(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(5) (1), was prepared from the self-assembly reaction of Cu(NO(3))(2)·3H(2)O and flexible clip-like organic ligand di(3-pyridylmethyl)amine (dpma) under acidic conditions. The cationic prismatic hollow structure of 1 hosts one nitrate anion via both metal-ligand dative bonds and electrostatic interactions. Metalloprism 1 can dissolve in water and its prismatic structure remains intact as supported by ESI-MS data. When metalloprism 1 was treated with sodium thiocyanate and sodium azide in aqueous solutions, two polymeric coordination architectures, [Cu(μ-Hdpma)(2)(NCS)(2)](NO(3))(2) (2) and [Cu(μ-dpma)(2)(μ-1,1-N(3))(μ-1,3-N(3))] (3), formed at room temperature, respectively. Polymer 2 has a two-dimensional sheet structure showing a simple rhombic 4(4)-sql topology in network connectivity, whereas polymer 3 gives a three-dimensional uninodal pcu net. The conformation of the flexible ditopic ligand is varied from a trans-trans-syn conformer in 1 to a trans-trans-anti conformer in 2 and to a trans-gauche-anti conformer in 3. The observations imply the occurrence of structural transformation from a discrete metalloprism into polymeric coordination architectures via a decoordination/rearrangement process. Magnetic studies of metalloprism 1 suggest that the two Cu(II) centers are weakly antiferromagnetically coupled. The spins communicate via the nitrate template while the Cu···O(nitrate) interactions are weak. For polymer 3, a ferromagnetically coupled system (J(2) = +17.6 cm(-1)) is operative between two Cu(II) centers bridged by end-on azidos and an antiferromagnetic coupling (J(1) = -7.7 cm(-1)) between two Cu(II) centers with end-to-end azidos. In contrast to relatively large coupling values of the reported examples, the weak ferromagnetic interaction results from insufficient spin delocalization between two Cu(II) centers.     

Binuclear copper(II) oxidation products from copper(I) complexes with tridentate ligands. Magnetostructural characterization

The bis-pyridine tridentate ligands (6-R-2-pyridylmethyl)-(2-pyridylmethyl) benzylamine (RDPMA, where R = CH(3), CF(3)), (6-R-2-pyridylmethyl)-(2-pyridylethyl) benzylamine (RPMPEA, where R = CH(3), CF(3)), and the bidentate ligand di-benzyl-(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine (BiBzMePMA) have been synthesized and their copper(I) complexes oxidized in a methanol solution to afford self-assembled bis-micro-methoxo-binuclear copper(II) complexes (1, 2, 4, 6) or hydroxo- binuclear copper(II) complexes (3). Oxidation of the nonsubstituted DPMA (R = H) in dichloromethane gives a chloride-bridged complex (5). The crystal structures for [Cu(MeDPMA)(MeO)](2)(ClO(4))(2) (1), [Cu(RPMPEA)(MeO)](2)(ClO(4))(2) (for 2, R= Me, and for 4, R = CF(3)), [Cu(BiBzMePMA)(MeO)](2)(ClO(4))(2) (6), [Cu(FDPMA)(OH)](2)(ClO(4))(2) (3), and [Cu(DPMA)(Cl)](2)(ClO(4))(2) (5) have been determined, and their variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility has been measured in the temperature range of 10-300 K. The copper coordination geometries are best described as square pyramidal, except for 6, which is square planar, because of the lack of one pyridine ring in the bidentate ligand. In 1-4 and 6, the basal plane is formed by two pyridine N atoms and two O atoms from the bridging methoxo or hydroxo groups, whereas in 5, the bridging Cl atoms occupy axial-equatorial sites. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the Cu atoms are strongly coupled antiferromagnetically in the bis-methoxo complexes 1, 2, 4, and 6, with -2J > 600 cm(-)(1), whereas for the hydroxo complex 3, -2J = 195 cm(-)(1) and the chloride-bridged complex 5 shows a weak ferromagnetic coupling, with 2J = 21 cm(-)(1) (2J is an indicator of the magnetic interaction between the Cu centers).     

Self assembled tetranuclear Cu4(II), Ni4(II) [2 × 2] square grids and a dicopper(II) complex of heterocycle based polytopic ligands - Magnetic studies

The ditopic ligand PyPzOAP (N-[(Z)-amino(pyridin-2-yl)methylidene]-5-methyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazonic acid) and the polytopic ligand 2-PzCAP (N'(3),N'(5)-bis[(1E)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]-1H-pyrazole-3,5-dicarbohydrazide) were synthesized in situ by condensation of methyl imino picolinate with 5-methyl-1-(2-pyridyl) pyrazole-3-carbohydrazide and 2-acetyl pyridine with pyrazole-3,5-dicarbohydrazide respectively. The ligands PyPzOAP and PzOAP (reported earlier, Dalton Trans., 2007, 1229) self-assemble to form homoleptic [2 × 2] tetranuclear M(4) (M = Cu(II) and Ni(II)) square grids structures [Cu(4)(PyPzOAP)(4)](NO(3))(4) (1), [Cu(4)(PzOAP)(4)](ClO(4))(4) (2) and [Ni(4)(PyPzOAP)(4)](NO(3))(4)·8H(2)O·2CH(3)CN (3). While the ligand 2-PzCAP forms a dicopper(II) complex [Cu(2)(2-PzCAP)(OH)(NO(3))(H(2)O)](NO(3))·2H(2)O (4). The complex 1 is a perfect square grid (a = 4.201 ?), whereas, 2 and 3 are almost square grids. All these compounds have been characterized by X-ray structural analyses and variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. EPR studies have also been carried out for complexes 1, 2 and 4. In the Cu(4) grid (1), all the Cu(II) centers are in a distorted octahedral environment with N(4)O(2) chromophore, while, in complex 2, all four Cu(II) centers have a square pyramidal environment with N(3)O(2) chromophore. In complex 3, all four Ni(II) centers have distorted octahedral geometry with N(4)O(2) chromophore. In compound 4, the Cu(II) centers are in square pyramidal environment with N(3)O(2) chromophore. The magnetic properties of compounds 1 and 2 show the presence of intramolecular ferromagnetic exchange interaction (J = 5.88 cm(-1) for 1 and 4.78 cm(-1) for 2). The complex 3 shows weak intramolecular antiferromagnetic interaction (J = -4.02 cm(-1)). While, complex 4, shows strong antiferromagnetic behavior (J = -443 cm(-1)).     

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (tppz)-containing copper(II) complexes

Four new copper(II) complexes of formula [Cu(2)(tppz)(dca)(3)(H(2)O)].dca.3H(2)O (1), [Cu(5)(tppz)(N(3))(10)](n)() (2), [[Cu(2)(tppz)(N(3))(2)][Cu(2)(N(3))(6)]](n)() (3), and [Cu(tppz)(N(3))(2)].0.33H(2)O (4) [tppz = 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine and dca = dicyanamide anion] have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction methods. The structure of complex 1 is made up of dinuclear tppz-bridged [Cu(2)(tppz)(dca)(3)(H(2)O)](+) cations, uncoordinated dca anions, and crystallization water molecules. The copper-copper separation across bis-terdentate tppz is 6.5318(11) A. Complex 2 is a sheetlike polymer whose asymmetric unit contains five crystallographically independent copper(II) ions. These units are building blocks in double chains in which the central part consists of a zigzag string of copper atoms bridged by double end-on azido bridges, and the outer parts are formed by dinuclear tppz-bridged entities which are bound to the central part through single end-on azido bridges. The chains are furthermore connected through weak, double out-of-plane end-on azido bridges, yielding a sheet structure. The intrachain copper-copper separations in 2 are 6.5610(6) A across bis-terdentate tppz, 3.7174(5) and 3.8477(5) A across single end-on azido bridges, and from 3.0955(5) to 3.2047(7) A across double end-on azido bridges. The double dca bridge linking the chains into sheets yields a copper-copper separation of 3.5984(7) A. The structure of 3 consists of centrosymmetric [Cu(2)(tppz)(N(3))(2)](2+) and [Cu(2)(N(3))(6)](2)(-) units which are linked through axial Cu.N(azido) (single end-on and double end-to-end coordination modes) type interactions to afford a neutral two-dimensional network. The copper-copper separations within the cation and anion are is 6.5579(5) A (across the bis-terdentate tppz ligand) and 3.1034(6) A (across the double end-on azido bridges), whereas those between the units are 3.6652(4) A (through the single end-on azido group) and 5.3508(4) A (through the double end-to-end azido bridges). The structure of complex 4 is built of neutral [Cu(tppz)(N(3))(2)] mononuclear units and uncoordinated water molecules. The mononuclear units are grouped by pairs to give a rather short copper-copper separation of 3.9031(15) A. The magnetic properties of 1-4 have been investigated in the temperature range 1.9-300 K. The magnetic behavior of complexes 1 and 4 is that of antiferromagnetically coupled copper(II) dimers with J = -43.7 (1) and -2.1 cm(-)(1) (4) (the Hamiltonian being H = -JS(A).S(B)). An overall ferromagnetic behavior is observed for complexes 2 and 3. Despite the structural complexity of 2, its magnetic properties correspond to those of magnetically isolated tppz-bridged dinuclear copper(II) units with an intermediate antiferromagnetic coupling (J = -37.5 cm(-)(1)) plus a ferromagnetic chain of hexanuclear double azido-bridged copper(II) units (the values of the magnetic coupling within and between the hexameric units being +61.1 and +0.0062 cm(-)(1), respectively). Finally, the magnetic properties of 3 were successfully analyzed through a model of a copper(II) chain with regular alternating of three ferromagnetic interactions, J(1) = +69.4 (across the double end-on azido bridges in the equatorial plane), J(2) = +11.2 (through the tppz bridge), and J(3) = +3.4 cm(-)(1) (across the single end-on azido bridge).     

Syntheses, characterization, and magnetic studies of copper(II) complexes with the ligand N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-benzenediamine (1,3-tpbd) and its phenol derivative 2,6-bis[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]-p-cresol] (2,6-Htpcd)

The copper(II) complexes [Cu(4)(1,3-tpbd)(2)(H(2)O)(4)(NO(3))(4)](n)(NO(3))(4n)·13nH(2)O (1), [Cu(4)(1,3-tpbd)(2)(AsO(4))(ClO(4))(3)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2)·2H(2)O·0.5CH(3)OH (2), [Cu(4)(1,3-tpbd)(2)(PO(4))(ClO(4))(3)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2)·2H(2)O·0.5CH(3)OH (3), [Cu(2)(1,3-tpbd){(PhO)(2)PO(2)}(2)](2)(ClO(4))(4) (4), and [Cu(2)(1,3-tpbd){(PhO)PO(3)}(2)(H(2)O)(0.69)(CH(3)CN)(0.31)](2)(BPh(4))(4)·Et(2)O·CH(3)CN (5) [1,3-tpbd = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-benzenediamine, BPh(4)(-) = tetraphenylborate] were prepared and structurally characterized. Analyses of the magnetic data of 2, 3, 4, and [Cu(2)(2,6-tpcd)(H(2)O)Cl](ClO(4))(2) (6) [2,6-tpcd = 2,6-bis[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]-p-cresolate] show the occurrence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the copper(II) ions, the bis-terdentate 1,3-tpbd/2,6-tpcd, μ(4)-XO(4) (X = As and P) μ(1,2)-OPO and μ-O(phenolate) appearing as poor mediators of exchange interactions in this series of compounds. Simple orbital symmetry considerations based on the structural knowledge account for the small magnitude of the magnetic couplings found in these copper(II) compounds.     

Coordination algorithms control molecular architecture: [CuI4(L2)4]4+ grid complex versus [MII2(L2)2X4]y+ side-by-side complexes (M=Mn,Co, Ni,Zn; X=solvent or anion) and [FeII(L2)3][Cl3FeIIIOFeIIICl3

The synthesis and characterisation of a pyridazine-containing two-armed grid ligand L2 (prepared from one equivalent of 3,6-diformylpyridazine and two equivalents of p-anisidine) and the resulting transition metal (Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn) complexes (1-9) are reported. Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations revealed that the copper(I) complex had self-assembled as a [2 x 2] grid, [Cu(I) (4)(L2)(4)][PF(6)](4).(CH(3)CN)(H(2)O)(CH(3)CH(2)OCH(2)CH(3))(0.25) (2.(CH(3)CN)(H(2)O)(CH(3)CH(2)OCH(2)CH(3))(0.25)), whereas the [Zn(2)(L2)(2)(CH(3)CN)(2)(H(2)O)(2)][ClO(4)](4).CH(3)CN (1.CH(3)CN), [Ni(II) (2)(L2)(2)(CH(3)CN)(4)][BF(4)](4).(CH(3)CH(2)OCH(2)CH(3))(0.25) (5 a.(CH(3)CH(2)OCH(2)CH(3))(0.25)) and [Co(II) (2)(L2)(2)(H(2)O)(2)(CH(3)CN)(2)][ClO(4)](4).(H(2)O)(CH(3)CN)(0.5) (6 a.(H(2)O)(CH(3)CN)(0.5)) complexes adopt a side-by-side architecture; iron(II) forms a monometallic cation binding three L2 ligands, [Fe(II)(L2)(3)][Fe(III)Cl(3)OCl(3)Fe(III)].CH(3)CN (7.CH(3)CN). A more soluble salt of the cation of 7, the diamagnetic complex [Fe(II)(L2)(3)][BF(4)](2).2 H(2)O (8), was prepared, as well as two derivatives of 2, [Cu(I) (2)(L2)(2)(NCS)(2)].H(2)O (3) and [Cu(I) (2)(L2)(NCS)(2)] (4). The manganese complex, [Mn(II) (2)(L2)(2)Cl(4)].3 H(2)O (9), was not structurally characterised, but is proposed to adopt a side-by-side architecture. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility studies yielded small negative J values for the side-by-side complexes: J=-21.6 cm(-1) and g=2.17 for S=1 dinickel(II) complex [Ni(II) (2)(L2)(2)(H(2)O)(4)][BF(4)](4) (5 b) (fraction monomer 0.02); J=-7.6 cm(-1) and g=2.44 for S= 3/2 dicobalt(II) complex [Co(II) (2)(L2)(2)(H(2)O)(4)][ClO(4)](4) (6 b) (fraction monomer 0.02); J=-3.2 cm(-1) and g=1.95 for S= 5/2 dimanganese(II) complex 9 (fraction monomer 0.02). The double salt, mixed valent iron complex 7.H(2)O gave J=-75 cm(-1) and g=1.81 for the S= 5/2 diiron(III) anion (fraction monomer=0.025). These parameters are lower than normal for Fe(III)OFe(III) species because of fitting of superimposed monomer and dimer susceptibilities arising from trace impurities. The iron(II) centre in 7.H(2)O is low spin and hence diamagnetic, a fact confirmed by the preparation and characterisation of the simple diamagnetic iron(II) complex 8. M?ssbauer measurements at 77 K confirmed that there are two iron sites in 7.H(2)O, a low-spin iron(II) site and a high-spin diiron(III) site. A full electrochemical investigation was undertaken for complexes 1, 2, 5 b, 6 b and 8 and this showed that multiple redox processes are a feature of all of them.