Ligand-induced distortion of a tetranuclear manganese butterfly complex

The reaction of the pentadentate Schiff-base ligand 1,3-bis(salicylideneamino)-2-propanol (salproH3) with [Mn3O(O2CR)6(py)3] (R = Me, Et, But) gives the corresponding tetranuclear manganese product [Mn4O2O2CR)5(salpro)] (4Mn(III)). The syntheses, structure and magnetochemical characterization of these complexes are reported. The structure of the [Mn4(mu3-O)2]8+ is butterfly-like much more closed than in previous complexes with this core as a result of the alkoxide oxygen of the salpro ligand bridging the two wingtip Mn atoms. Variable-temperature, solid-state magnetic susceptibility studies reveal that these complexes possess S = 0 ground state spins. Fitting of the magnetic susceptibility data to the theoretical chiMT vs. T expression derived for a C2v symmetry complex, assuming an isotropic Heisenberg spin-Hamiltonian and using the Van Vleck equation, revealed that the various exchange parameters are all antiferromagnetic, and the core thus experiences spin frustration effects.