Synthesis and Structural Investigations of [Mn(3)O(4)(phen)(4)(H(2)O)(2)](NO(3))(4).2.5H(2)O: A Water-Bound Complex Obtained by Cerium(IV) Oxidation

The trinuclear manganese complex Mn(3)O(4)(phen)(4)(H(2)O)(2)](NO(3))(4).2.5H(2)O, 1 (where, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), has been synthesized by the Ce(IV) oxidation of a concentrated solution of manganese(II) acetate and phen in 1.6 N nitric acid. The complex crystallizes in the triclinic space group P&onemacr; with a = 10.700(2) ?, b = 12.643(3) ?, c = 20.509(4) ?, alpha = 78.37(3) degrees, beta = 83.12(3) degrees, gamma = 82.50(3) degrees, and Z = 2. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by least-squares techniques to the conventional R (R(w)) factors of 0.055 (0.076) based on 4609 unique reflections with F(o) >/= 6.0sigma(F(o)). The structure of the cation consists of an oxo-bridged Mn(3)O(4)(4+) core, with the geometry of the manganese atoms being octahedral. The coordination polyhedron of one of the manganese atoms (Mn(1)) consists of two &mgr; oxo ligands and two pairs of nitrogen atoms of two phen moieties, whereas that of each of the remaining two manganese atoms consists of three &mgr;-oxo ligands, two nitrogen atoms of a phen moiety, and the oxygen atom of a water molecule. The complex represents the second example for water coordination to manganese(IV) centers in complexes with a Mn(3)O(4)(4+) core. Optical spectra in ligand buffer (pH 4.5) reveal complete conversion of the complex into a Mn(III)Mn(IV) species. The observed room-temperature (298 K) magnetic moment of 3.75 &mgr;(B) indicates the presence of strong antiferromagnetic coupling in the complex.