Synthesis,characterization, and magnetochemical properties of two Mn4 clusters derived from 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde Schiff base ligands

Two tetranuclear manganese complexes, [Mn₄(L¹)₆](ClO₄)₂?2.75H₂O (1) [HL¹ = 4-methyl-2-((pyridin-2-ylmethylene)amino)phenol] and [Mn₄(L²)₄(NO₃)₃(OH)]?pz?3H₂O (2) [HL² = (1H-pyrazol-1-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)methanol, pz = pyrazole], have been synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and magnetic measurements. The structural analysis revealed that the central manganese ion is linked with three apical manganese ions through six phenoxo-bridges creating a Mn₄O₆ core for 1; 2 has a cubane-like topology with the Mn(II) ions and the deprotonated oxygens from L² alternatively occupying vertices. The magnetic studies indicated a weak ferromagnetic coupling interaction (J = 0.48 ± 0.087 cm^?1, g = 2.00, θ = ?0.78 K) for 1 and a weak antiferromagnetic spin-exchange interaction (J₁ = ?0.50 ± 0.075 cm^?1, J₂ = ?0.13 ± 0.082 cm^?1, g = 1.98) between Mn(II) ions for 2. The magnetostructural correlations of the two Mn₄ clusters have been discussed tentatively.     

A blue luminescent binuclear cadmium-orotate coordination polymer: synthesis,crystal structure,and thermogravimetric analysis

Assembly of orotic acid (H₃Or, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-2,6-dioxo-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic) and Cd(NO₃)·6H₂O yielded a coordination polymer, [(Cd(Hor)·2.5H₂O)₂]_n (1), which has been characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, TGA, and ?uorescence spectra. Single-crystal X-ray structural analyses reveal that 1 is a hydrogen-bonded binuclear Cd-orotate coordination polymer in which both Cd²⁺ ions have different coordination environments with identical distorted octahedral geometry. Crystal data for 1: monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a = 7.0209(10) Å, b = 13.974(2) Å, c = 17.541(3) Å, β = 98.842(2)°, V = 1700.5(4) Å, Z = 4, R1 = 0.0269, wR2 = 0.0612, θ_max = 25.960. The emission spectrum of the Cd-complex recorded with 265 nm excitation wavelength reveals the complex has strong blue luminescence with the peak maximum 420 nm (2.95 eV) as a result of the n–π* and π–π* transitions on the H₃Or ligand.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and magnetic properties of a salt containing [Cu2Cl7]3− and 4-nitrobenzyl-4′-dimethylaminopyridinium

A new salt, [NO₂BzDMAP]₃[Cu₂Cl₇]?·?H₂O (1), has been synthesized, where [NO₂BzDMAP]⁺ is 1-(4′-nitrobenzyl)-4-dimethylaminopyridinium. Herein, the synthesis, spectral and structural characterization, and magnetic behavior of 1 are reported. It is orthorhombic, with space group Pca2₁, and a?=?26.639(2)?Å, b?=?9.638(1)?Å, and c?=?20.011(2)?Å with V?=?5137.5(7)?ų for Z?=?4. The anion shows a chloride-bridged binuclear structure with Cu?···?Cu distance of 3.872?Å; the two Cu(II) ions have a tetrahedral geometry. The cations stack through p?···?π and π?···?π interactions, and a complicated hydrogen-bonding network structure is formed through C–H?···?Cl and C–H?···?O hydrogen bonds. The variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that 1 exhibits strong antiferromagnetic interaction with J?=??193.0?cm^?1.     

Synthesis,characterization and magnetic properties of mixed-valence iron complexes with 2-pyridyl oximes

Abstract

Two new mixed-valence iron complexes with 2-pyridyl oximes, [Fe(mpko)₃Fe(H₂O)₂(NO₃)](NO₃)·2H₂O (1) (mpko^? = methyl(2-pyridyl)ketone oximate) and [{Fe(dpko)₃}₂Fe](ClO₄)·4H₂O (2) (dpko^? = bis(2-pyridyl)ketone oximate), have been prepared by reaction of Fe^III with mpkoH in methanol (1) and Fe^II with dpkoH in methanol/water (2). Dinuclear Fe^II(low-spin)Fe^III(high-spin) and trinuclear Fe^II(low-spin)Fe^III(high-spin)Fe^II(low-spin) cations are present in the crystal structure of 1 and 2, respectively. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds in 1 lead to weak antiferromagnetic interactions between pairs of neighboring Fe^III centers, which allows observation of single-ion zero-field splitting effects.     

Synthesis,structure and magnetic properties of Ni2(NO3)4(APTY)4 (APTY=1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-4-{[(1 E )-pyridine-4-ylmethylene]amino}-1,2-dihydro-3 H -pyrazol-3-one)

A novel dinuclear nickel(II) complex Ni₂(NO₃)₄(APTY)₄ (1) (APTY?=?1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-4-{[(1E)-pyridine-4-ylmethylene]amino}-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one), was synthesized by solvothermal reaction of Ni(NO₃)₂?·?6H₂O with APTY in methanol at 353?K. The structure consists of centrosymmetric dimers resulting from octahedrally coordinated Ni atoms bridged by APTY ligands. Weak intermolecular interactions (C–H?···?N, C–H?···?O hydrogen bonding, C–H?···?π and π–π stacking interactions) are responsible for a supramolecular assembly of molecules in the lattice. Magnetic measurements over 1.8–300?K show weak antiferromagnetic coupling between Ni(II) ions with J?=?2.969?cm^?1, g?=?2.280, θ?=??5.903.     

Substrate-induced adjustment of “slipped” π–π stacking: en route to obtain 1D sandwich chain and higher order self-assembly supramolecular structures in solid state

‘Slipped’ π?π stacking between flexible macrocycle 1⁴⁺ (cyclo[2](2,6-di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)pyridine)[2](1,4-dimethylene benzene)) and neutral small molecules induce one-dimensional (1D) ‘sandwich’ chain self-assembly. Unlike most of the reported π?π stacking system, the 1D “sandwich” chain expands with the direction parallel to stacking π surfaces on 1⁴⁺ and that on molecule 2, 3, 4 or 5 (2 = p-xylene, 3 = benzene-1,4-diamine, 4 = 4,4′-bipyridine, 5 = [1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diol). Moreover, the π?π stacking modes of 1D self-assembly are seriously small molecule adduct dependent. Combined with the other weak interactions (e.g. intermolecular hydrogen bonding), the new substrate design and control strategy can expand the 1D ‘sandwich’ chain (e.g. [1⁴⁺·4]_n) into higher order structure (e.g. two-dimensional (2D) network [1⁴⁺·4·6]_n, 6 = hydroquinone) even in large scale (~280 mg). This 2D network structure, which keeps stable under 423 K, shows highly selective gas absorption of CO₂ over N₂.     

Mono-, di-, and trinuclear phosphonate oxygen-bridged copper(II) complexes: syntheses,structures, and properties

Reactions of copper salts, zoledronic acid, and 2,2′-bipyridine/1,10-phenanthroline in aqueous ethanolic solutions afforded four phosphonate oxygen-bridged copper complexes, Cu(bipy)(H₄zdn)(HSO₄) (1), [Cu₂(bipy)₂(H₂zdn)(H₂O)(Cl)]·4H₂O (2), [Cu₂(phen)₂(H₂zdn)(H₂O)(Cl)]·2.5H₂O (3), and [Cu₃(bipy)₃(H₄zdn)(H₂zdn)(SO₄)]·5H₂O (4) (H₅zdn = zoledronic acid, bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline). The copper centers of 1–4 have square pyramidal coordination geometries. The Cu(II) ions are coordinated to bipy/phen, zoledronate, and HSO₄^?/Cl^? forming mononuclear units for 1, dinuclear for 2 and 3, and trinuclear for 4. These building units are further extended into 3-D supramolecular networks via multiple hydrogen bond interactions. Temperature-dependent magnetic properties of 2 and 4 suggest weak antiferromagnetic coupling (J = ?4.53(8) cm^?1 for 2, J = ?1.69(4) cm^?1 for 4). The antitumor activity of 2 was evaluated against the human lung cancer cell line and indicates effective time- and dose-dependent cytotoxic effects.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and magnetic properties of two new manganese(II) complexes based on biphenyl-2,5,2′,5′-tetracarboxylic acid

Two new complexes, [Mn(H₂bptc)(2,2′-bpy)₂]?·?2H₂O (1) and [Mn₃(Hbptc)₂(2,2′-bpy)₃(H₂O)₈]?·?2H₂O (2) (H₄bptc?=?biphenyl-2,5,2′,5′-tetracarboxylic acid, 2,2′-bpy?=?2,2′-bipyridine), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Their structures have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses, IR spectra, powder X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analyses. Complexes 1 and 2 are both linked into 3-D supramolecular networks by non-covalent interactions (O–H?···?O, C–H?···?O, C–H?···?π, and π?···?π). Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit weak antiferromagnetic interactions.     

Synthesis,crystal structures,and magnetic properties of methoxido-bridged dinuclear MnIII complexes derived from tri-dentate chelating ligands

Two new doubly methoxido-bridged Mn^III dinuclear complexes, [Mn^III(mphp)(μ-OCH₃)(CH₃OH)]₂·2CH₃OH (1) and ([Mn^III(ahbz)(μ-OCH₃)(CH₃OH)]₂·2CH₃OH (2), have been synthesized by using the tridentate ligands H₂mphp (H₂mphp = 2-methyl-6-(pyrimidin-2-yl-hydrazonomethyl)-phenol) and H₂ahbz (H₂ahbz = N-(2-amino-propyl)-2-hydroxy-benzamide). The complexes have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and magnetic measurements. Complexes 1 and 2 have a similar dimeric molecular structure. Two [Mn(L)(CH₃OH)]⁺ moieties (L^2? = mphp^2? or ahbz^2?) are bridged by two μ-OCH₃^? groups in the axial-equatorial asymmetric manner. The coordination geometry of Mn^III is an axially elongated octahedron with two oxygens of a methanol ligand and a methoxido ligand situated at the axial positions. Magnetic measurements indicate that 1 and 2 exhibit antiferromagnetic behavior with the fitting parameter of J = ?1.49(3) cm^?1, D = ?1.3(1) cm^?1, g = 1.98(1) and zJ′ = ?0.18(4) cm^?1 for 1, and J = ?1.6(2) cm^?1, D = 4.5(3) cm^?1, g = 2.06(1) and zJ′ = 1.4(1) cm^?1 for 2 on the basis of the spin Hamiltonian ? = ?2J?_Mn1?_Mn2.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and magnetic properties of three complexes containing bis(maleonitriledithiolate) copper(II) anion and <Emphasis Type="Italic">meta</Emphasis>-substituted benzyl isoquinolinium cations

Three complexes, [3RBzIQl]₂[Cu(mnt)₂] (mnt^2? = maleonitriledithiolate; [3RBzIQl]⁺ = 1-(3′-R-benzyl)isoquinolinium, R = Cl (1), I (2) or NO₂ (3)), have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic and physicochemical methods as well as by X-ray crystallography. The [Cu(mnt)₂]^2? anions formed a 1D chain in complex 1, a dimer in 2 and a sheet structure in 3 through C···N and/or N···N interactions. The neighboring dimers of the cations arranged in a boat-type pattern stack into columns through weak π···π, Cl···π or O···π, C–H···π interactions. The anions and cations stack together into a columnar structure with a ···A–CC–A–CC–A··· sequence. The magnetic susceptibilities measured in the temperature range 2.0–300 K reveal that complex 1 undergoes a change from weak ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic exchange around 132 K, while 2 shows antiferromagnetic behavior and 3 shows a weak ferromagnetic interaction when the temperature is lowered.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and properties of a μ3-oxo-trichromium(III) propionate cluster with pyrazole

A new μ₃-oxo trinuclear chromium(III) propionate cluster, [Cr₃(μ₃-O)(O₂CCH₂CH₃)₆(pyr)₃]NO₃·0.25(H₂O) (1), has been synthesized by reaction of a μ₃-oxo trinuclear chromium(III) propionate precursor [Cr₃(μ₃-O)(O₂CCH₂CH₃)₆(H₂O)₃]NO₃ with a pyrazol ligand (pyr) and characterized by IR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray structure determination, and thermal analysis. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization studies revealed antiferromagnetic exchange interactions within the trinuclear Cr(III) cluster (J = ?11.9 cm^?1) and determined the electronic ground state (S = ½) of the compound.     

Three 4-connected nickel coordination polymers affording a 3-D CdSO4 network and two 2-D (4,4) networks

The self-assembly reaction of 1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butane (btb) and Ni(II) salts gives three coordination polymers {[Ni(btb)₂(NCS)₂]?·?H₂O} _n (1), [Ni(btb)₂(NCO)₂] _n (2), and [Ni(btb)₂Cl₂] _n (3). Compound 1 is comprised of a twofold interpenetrating 4-connected 6⁵?·?8-CdSO₄ 3-D coordination network. Compounds 2 and 3 are neutral 2-D (4,4) networks with the ABAB?···?and ABCABC?···?stacking modes, respectively. The thermal stabilities of 1–3 were investigated.     

Two spin systems based on [Ni(dmit)2]− building blocks exhibiting 1-D chain and 2-D sheet structures: crystal structures and magnetic properties

The crystal structures and magnetic properties for two ion-pair complexes, [MG][Ni(dmit)₂] (1) and [RhB][Ni(dmit)₂] (2) (MG⁺ = N-(4-((4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)(phenyl)methylene)cyclohexa-2,5-dienylidene)-N-methylmethanaminium, RhB⁺ = 9-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3,6-bis(diethylamino)xanthylium; dmit^2? = 1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate), have been investigated. Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c, the stacking interactions between the GM⁺ and [Ni(dmit)₂]^? lead to the anion exhibiting a banana-shaped molecular geometry; the neighboring anions form a 1-D alternating chain along the crystallographic [1 1 0] direction via intermolecular lateral-to-lateral and head-to-head S ··· S contacts. The temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility from 2–350 K does not display the magnetic character of a 1-D chain; the magnetic susceptibility data were fit to the Curie–Weiss equation to give C = 0.351(15) emu K mol^?1, θ = ?3.51(28) K, and χ ₀ = 8.00(3) × 10^?5 emu mol^?1. Complex 2 belongs to the triclinic space group P-1 with two crystallographic inequivalent [Ni(dmit)₂]^? anions, which exhibit perfect planar geometry. Two ethyl groups of RhB⁺ are disordered over two positions at 296 K, and one becomes ordered at 150 K. The [Ni(dmit)₂]^? anions form a 2-D molecular layer via intermolecular lateral-to-lateral and head-to-lateral S ··· S interactions with the anionic layer parallel to the crystallographic (0 1 ?1) plane. The temperature variation of magnetic susceptibility from 2 to 350 K shows that antiferromagnetic coupling dominates in the anionic layer, and the disorder–order changes of cationic structure are not coupled to magnetic property.     

Complicated weak interactions in a hybrid material containing tetra(isothiocyanate)cobalt(II) and 1,1′-ethylene-2,2′-dipyridinium: synthesis,crystal structure,and magnetic properties

A new inorganic–organic hybrid material, [EtdiPy][Co(NCS)₄] (1) ([EtdiPy]²⁺?=?1,1′-ethylene-2,2′-dipyridinium), was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectrum, UV-Vis spectrum, ESI-MS, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 is monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, with a?=?21.691(5)?Å, b?=?8.639(2)?Å, c?=?21.748(5)?Å, β?=?90.124(3)°, V?=?4075.1(16)?ų, D _c?=?1.550?g cm^?3, Z?=?8, F(000)?=?1928, and R ₁?=?0.0435. The C–H···S hydrogen bond, short S···C, S···N interactions, p···π, and π···π interactions observed in the solid state of 1 give a 3-D structure. Magnetic measurements from 2 to 300?K have shown weak antiferromagnetic exchange with θ?=??0.892?K in 1.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of two Co(II) coordination polymers based on 4,6-bis(4-methylbenzoyl)isophthalic acid and 4,4′-bipyridine

Two coordination complexes, [Co₂L₂(4,4′-bpy)₂(H₂O)₄]?·?6H₂O (1) and [CoL(4,4′-bpy)] (2) (H₂L?=?4,6-bis(4-methylbenzoyl)isophthalic acid and 4,4′-bpy?=?4,4′-bipyridine), have been synthesized with the same starting materials under conventional and hydrothermal condition, respectively. Their structures have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectra, and thermogravimetric analysis. Complex 1 features a 2-D sheet structure (space group C2/c) with (4,4) grid units. The non-covalent interactions (O–H?·?·?·?O, C–H?·?·?·?π, and weak π??·?·?·?π interactions) extend 1 into a 3-D supramolecular network. Complex 2 displays a (3,5)-connected network (space group P 1) with a (4²?·?6)(4²?·?6⁸) topology.     

Coordination polymers constructed from an asymmetric dicarboxylate and N-donors: preparation,characterization, and properties

Two new coordination polymers with an asymmetric dicarboxylate and 4,4′-bipyridine ligand, {[Co(bpy)(H₂O)₄]·(cpa)·0.5H₂O}_n (1) and {[Ag(cpa)(bpy)][Ag(bpy)]·4H₂O}_n (2) (H₂cpa = 4-(2-carboxyethyl)benzoic acid, bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine), have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 displays a linear chain with guest molecule (cpa)^2? ions existing in the structure. Compound 2 contains two independent units, [Ag(cpa)(bpy)]^– (A) and [Ag(bpy)]⁺ (B), which form a 1-D + 1-D structure. A shows a 1-D chain structure bearing hooks formed by the carboxylates and organized into a tubular structure by hydrogen-bonding interactions. B has linear chains formed from Ag⁺ and bpy. The A and B chains co-crystallize with waters of crystallization to provide two linear [Ag(bpy)]⁺ chains embedded in the tubular structure formed by A via π…π stacking contacts. In 1 and 2, hydrogen-bonding and π…π stacking interactions connect the discrete 1-D chains into 3-D supramolecular structures. The fluorescent properties, TG analysis, and X-ray powder diffraction patterns for 1 and 2 were also measured.     

Two copper complexes based on nitronyl nitroxide with different halides: structures and magnetic properties

Complexes based on different halogen-substituted nitronyl nitroxide radicals and Cu(II), Cu₃(hfac)₆(NIT-Ph-F)₂ (1) and Cu₃(hfac)₆(NIT-Ph-Cl)₂ (2) (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate; NIT-Ph-F = 2-(4′-fluorophenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide; NIT-Ph-Cl = 2-(4′-chlorphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide), were synthesized and characterized structurally and magnetically. X-ray crystal structure analyses show that 1 and 2 have similar centrosymmetric five-spin structures consisting of three Cu(II) ions bridged by two nitroxide ligands. The Cu(II) is coordinated by six oxygens to form an octahedron, while the five coordination of the terminal Cu(II) ion is square pyramidal. Magnetic measurements reveal strong antiferromagnetic interactions between Cu(II) ions and radicals in 1 (J = ?38.9 cm^?1) and weak antiferromagnetic interactions between Cu(II) ions and radicals in 2 (J = ?1.23 cm^?1), which may be explained by the bond length of the Cu–O_rad (2.468(2) Å) in 1, which is shorter than that (2.514(2) Å) in 2, and the dihedral angle (73.17(1)°) of the plane O7–O8–Cu(2)–O7A–O8A with the moiety O5–N1–C11–N2–O6 in 1 is smaller than (77.82(1)°) in 2.     

Metallacycle-based complexes based on a flexible pyridyl–benzimidazole derivative

Three new coordination complexes, {Cd(pbmb)(NO₃)₂} _n (1), {Ag(pbmb)(NO₃)(C₃H₆O)} _n (2), and {Hg₂(pbmb)₂Cl₄} _n (3), have been synthesized under solvothermal or solution reactions based on a flexible N-heterocyclic ligand 1-((2-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-benzoimidazol-1-yl)methyl)-1H-benzotriazole (pbmb) and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectrum, and elemental analyses. Both 1 and 2 display a 1-D chain structure with metallacycle unit while 3 shows a binuclear cycle motif. The aromatic rings are directing groups for π?···?π stacking interactions. The π?···?π interactions and hydrogen bonds extend the simple chain structure and binuclear structure to 3-D supramolecular architectures. Complexes 1 and 3 exhibit strong luminescence in the solid state at room temperature whereas 2 shows fluorescence quenching.     

Syntheses,weak interactions, 3D network structures and magnetic properties of two salts based on bis(maleonitriledithiolate)copper(II) anion and substituted triphenylphosphonium cation

Two new salts, [BzTPP]₂[Cu(mnt)₂] (1) and [4NO₂BzTPP]₂[Cu(mnt)₂] (2) (BzTPP⁺ = benzyltriphenylphosphonium and mnt²⁻ = maleonitriledithiolate) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, UV, IR, molar conductivity and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The single-crystal structure analysis shows that 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n, while 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P−1. The effects of weak intramolecular interactions such as C–H···O, C–H···S, C–H···N, C–H···Cu hydrogen bonds and p···π, π···π stacking interactions in the solids generate a 3D network structure. It is noted that the change in the molecular topology of the counteraction when the 4-substituted group in the benzyl ring is changed from H to NO₂ results in differences in the crystal system, space group, weak interactions and the stacking mode of the cations and anions of 1 and 2. The magnetic susceptibilities of these salts measured in the temperature range 2.0 to 300 K show weak ferromagnetic coupling features with θ = 2.05 × 10⁻² K for 1 and 5.13 × 10⁻³ K for 2.     

Synthesis,structure, magnetic properties and kinetics of formation of a cluster containing a {Cu3(μ3-OH)} core supported by a triazole-based ligand

The trinuclear copper complex, [Cu₃(μ₃-OH)(CTMB)₃(NO₃)₂(CH₃CN)₂]·5CH₃CN·H₂O (1) {CTMB = cyclohexotriazole-3-(4-methoxybenzamide)}, has been prepared by mixing Cu(NO₃)₂·2.5H₂O and CHMBH {CHMBH = N,N′-cyclohexane-1,2-diylidene-bis(4-methoxybenzoylhydrazide)} in acetonitrile under ambient conditions. Compound 1 was characterized by IR and UV–visible spectroscopies as well as elemental analyses. X-ray crystallography shows that the cluster contains a {Cu₃(μ₃-OH)} core supported by three triazole-based Schiff base ligands. Each Cu is bound to the 2-N of one triazole ring and the 1-N of another. However, the coordination sphere of each Cu is different, one is five-coordinate and the other two are six-coordinate and bridged by a NO₃ group. The six-coordinate sites are different, one has a terminal NO₃ and the other a MeCN ligand. Magnetic measurements revealed the presence of isotropic and antisymmetric exchange between the copper(II) centers. The data were analyzed using the Hamiltonian containing isotropic exchange for an isosceles triangle together with antisymmetric exchange: H = –J₁(S₁S₂ + S₂S₃)?J₂S₁S₃ + G[S₁ × S₂ + S₂ × S₃ + S₃ × S₁]. Compound 1 exhibits strong antiferromagnetic coupling with J₁ = ?180 and J₂ = ?118 cm^?1 and antisymmetric exchange with G_z = 15 cm^?1. Stopped flow spectrophotometric studies show that the formation of 1 occurs in three distinct phases and the kinetics of each phase has been determined.