Synthesis,structure and properties of supramolecular Mn,Co, Ni and Zn complexes containing Salen-type bisoxime ligands

Four supramolecular complexes MnL¹(H₂O)₂] (1), {CoL²(OAc)(H₂O)]₂Co}·5CH₃CH₂OH (2), {NiL³(OAc)(CH₃OH)]₂Ni}·2CH₃COCH₃·2CH₃OH (3) and {ZnL²(OAc)]₂Zn}·CHCl₃ (4), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV–Vis spectra and X-ray diffraction techniques. All the complexes have the trinuclear configuration except for Mn^II complex being mononuclear configuration. Every trinuclear complex contains two acetate ions coordinate to the three metal ions via a familiar M–O–C–O–M (M = Co, Ni, Zn) coordinated mode. Although complexes 1 and 3 display 1D supramolecular chains, the different coordination environments (mononuclear in 1, trinuclear in 3) provoke divergence in the structures and aggregations of the chain subunits. Complex 2 forms a 3D hydrogen-bonding supramolecular networks possessing a channel composing of six O–H···O hydrogen bonds, while complex 4 exhibits a 2D hydrogen-bonding supramolecular networks with the formation of “grottos” occupied by chloroform molecules through intermolecular hydrogen-bond interactions. The spectral properties of the title complexes have been further discussed in detail.