Assembling molecular triangles into discrete and infinite architectures

Abstract

Having established that molecules with general formulae [Mn^III₆O₂(R-sao)₆(O₂CR)₂(L)_4–6] ([Mn₆]) and [Mn^III₃O(R-sao)₃(X)(L)₃] ([Mn₃]) (saoH₂ = salicylaldoxime; R = H, Me, Et etc; X = RCO₂⁻, ClO₄⁻; L = solvent), with the latter being the analogous “half” molecules of the former, exhibit the phenomenon of single-molecule magnetism, we have exploited them as building blocks to construct supramolecular architectures by means of host–guest interactions and coordination driven self-assembly. A number of discrete and infinite architectures, namely [Mn^III₃O(Ph-sao)₃(4Cl-sbz)₃(MeOH)₃]₂(OH)(ClO₄)·2MeOH (1·2MeOH), [Mn^III₃O(Ph-sao)₃(4Me-sbz)₃(EtOH)₃]₂(OH)(NO₃) (2), {[Mn^III₃O(Et-sao)₃(4,4′-bpy)₂(MeOH)] ClO₄·1.5MeOH·Et₂O}_n (3·1.5MeOH·Et₂O), {[Mn^III₃O(sao)₃(4,4′-bpe)_1.5]ClO₄·3MeOH}_n (4·3MeOH) and [{Mn^III₃O(Et-sao)₃(O₂CPh)(EtOH)}₂{4,4′-bpe}₂] (5), based on the molecular triangle [Mn₃] and various pyridyl-type ligands (4Cl-sbz = 4-chlorostilbazole, 4Me-sbz = 4-methylstilbazole, 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine and 4,4′-bpe = trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene) were obtained and structurally and magnetically characterized.