Structural and magnetic studies on cyano-bridged rectangular Fe2M2 (M = Cu, Ni) clusters

Using the tricyano precursor, (Bu4N)(Tp)Fe(CN)3] (Tp = Tris(pyrazolyl) hydroborate) (1), four new tetranuclear clusters, (Tp)Fe(CN)3Cu(Tp)]2.2H2O (2), (Tp)Fe(CN)3Cu(bpca)]2.4H2O (3) (bpca = bis(2-pyridylcarbonyl)amidate anion), (Tp)Fe(CN)3Ni(tren)]2(ClO4)2.2H2O (4) (tren = tris(2-amino)ethylamine), and (Tp)Fe(CN)3Ni(bipy)2]2(Tp)Fe(CN)3]2.6H2O (5) (bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The four clusters possess similar square structures, where FeIII and MII (M = CuII or NiII) ions alternate at the rectangle corners. There exist intermolecular - stacking interactions through pyrazolyl groups of Tp- ligands in complexes 2 and 4, which lead to 1D chain structures. Complex 5 shows a 3D network structure through the coexistence of - stacking effects and hydrogen-bonding interactions. Magnetic studies show intramolecular ferromagnetic interactions in all four clusters. The exchange parameters are +11.91 and +1.38 cm(-1) for clusters 2 and 3, respectively, while uniaxial molecular anisotropy can be detected in complex 3 due to the distorted core in its molecular structure. Complex 4 has a ground state of S = 3 and shows SMM behavior with an effective energy barrier of U = 18.9 cm(-1). Unusual spin-glass-like dynamic relaxations are observed for complex 5.