Crystal structure of bis-[di-µ-(phenylmethoxo)-bis(pentane-2,4-dionato)dicopper(II)]

Abstract

The crystal and molecular structures of the title compound have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction by use of three-dimensional photographic data, and refined anisotropically to R 10·1% for 1691 independent observed reflections. The blue crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁/c with a 11·53 ± 0·03. b= 22·68 ± 0·05, c= 10·19 ± 0·03 Å, and β= 112·0 °± 0·3°. The unit cell contains two centrosymmetric tetrameric molecules, each consisting of two approximately planar benzoxy-bridged dinners (acac)Cu(µ-OCh₂Ph)₂Cu(acac) joined together by four apical Cu–O bonds involving one benzoxy and one acetylacetonate (acac) oxygen atom of each dimer, of lengths 2·42 Å(benzoxy) and 2·71 Å(acac). The Cu₂O₂ unit in the dimer is planar, with mean bond lengths 1·88(1) to the three- and 1·94(1)Å to the four-co-ordinate oxygen atom. The possible significance of the presence of both kinds of bridging atoms in relation to the magnetic properties of this and similar complexes is briefly noted.