A Mn(III)2Ni(II) single-chain magnet separated by a thick isolating network of BPh4- anions

The assembly reaction of a Mn(III) salen-type dimeric complex, MnIII2(saltmen)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2 (saltmen2- = N,N'-(1,1,2,2-tetramethylethylene)bis(salycylideneiminate)), and a Ni(II) oximato complex, Ni(II)(pao)2(phen)] (pao- = pyridine-2-aldoximate; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), in the presence of NaBPh4 yielded a heterometallic chain of MnIII2(saltmen)2NiI)(pao)2(phen)](BPh4)2 (Mn2Ni-BPh4) having a -Mn(III)-ON-Ni(II)-NO-Mn(III)-(OPh)2-] repeating unit surrounded by a "zeolite-like" network of BPh4- anions. Thanks to such bulky ion-walls, each chain is not only structurally separated with a nearest inter-chain metalmetal distance of 14.4 A (MnNi) but also magnetically extremely well isolated. This magnetic isolation and the ferromagnetic interactions between S = 3 anisotropic units constituting the chain play key roles that induce single-chain magnet behavior in this system.