Crystal structure and magnetic properties of the heterobinuclear complex [(CH3CN)LNi(mnt)Cu(mnt)]·CH3CN (L = tetrabenzo[b,f,j,n][1,5,9,13]tetra-azacyclohexadecine and mnt = maleonitriledithiolate)

Abstract

The complex [(CH₃CN)LNi(mnt) Cu (mnt)]·CH₃CN (L = tetrabenzo[b,f,j,n][ 1,5,9,13] tetra-azacyclohexadecine and mnt = maleonitriledithiolate) has been synthesized and its crystal structure determined. The complex crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pbca with cell dimensions, a= 16.691(2), _b= 32.256(3), _c= 14.581(1)Å, and Z= 8. The crystal structure consis 1 of a discrete binuclear NiCu unit with a unique bridging mode. The copper(II) ion is co-ordinated by four sulphur atoms of the two mnt ligands in a distorted planar environment. One mnt ligand is linked through one of its cyano groups to an axial site of the nickel(II) ion completing an octahedral co-ordination formed by L (in equatorial positions) and CH₃CN (in an axial position). Cryomagnetic data (5–300 K) show practically no magnetic interaction between the high-spin nickel(II) and the copper(II) ions.