Unusual oxidation state distributions observed for two mixed-valence heptanuclear manganese disc-like clusters

The synthesis, structures and magnetic properties of two new mixed-valence heptanuclear manganese clusters are described. Both complexes utilize triethanolamine (teaH(3)) as a bridging ligand, displaying near planar, disc-like metal topologies and are of formulae Mn(II)(4)Mn(IV)(3)(tea)(teaH(2))(3)(peolH)(4)](BF(4))(2)·solv (1) and Mn(II)(4)Mn(III)(3)F(3)(tea)(teaH)(teaH(2))(2)(piv)(4)(Hpiv)(chp)(3)]·0.5MeCN (2). Compound 1 is a rare mixed-valence compound containing Mn(II) and Mn(IV) ions only and is the first example of a heptanuclear disc with a {Mn(II)(4)Mn(IV)(3)} oxidation state distribution. Compound 2 is a {Mn(II)(4)Mn(III)(3)} complex and displays a unique arrangement of oxidation states within the disc, when compared to other known {Mn(II)(4)Mn(III)(3)} examples. Variable temperature DC and AC magnetic susceptibility studies were carried out for 1 and 2 in the 2-300 K temperature range. Compound 1 displayed an increase in the χ(M)T susceptibility values as the temperature is decreased indicating dominant ferromagnetic interactions are present within the cluster. Fits of the χ(M)T vs. T data reveals an S = 23/2 ground state, with several close lying excited states within 1 cm(-1). Compound 2 displays an overall decrease in the χ(M)T value as the temperature is decreased down to 2 K indicating dominant antiferromagnetic interactions present with a probable S = 4 ground state as determined from the DC and AC susceptibility data.