Cobalt complexes of the chelating dicarboxylate ligand “esp”: a paddlewheel-type dimer and a heptanuclear coordination cluster

Abstract

The coordination chemistry of Co(II) with the chelating dicarboxylate ligand esp (esp = α,α,α′,α′-tetramethyl-1,3-benzenedipropionate) is explored. We report here the bimetallic paddlewheel-type dimer, Co₂(esp)₂(EtOH)₂ (1), and a bowl-shaped, heptanuclear coordination cluster, Co₇(OH)₄(Hesp)₂(esp)₄(MeCN)₂·4MeCN (2). Crystal structures of both complexes are reported as well as their magnetic properties, which indicate antiferromagnetic interactions among the Co(II) ions.