Modulation of experimental conditions towards generation of a heterometallic Na2Co4 cluster or a homometallic Co4 cluster and ligand formed in situ

Abstract

In this work, we report two clusters, namely Co₄(Q)₈ (1), Co₄Na₂(Q)₂(L)₄ (2) (H₂L = 7,7′-(ethane-1,1-diyl)diquinolin-8-ol, HQ = 8-hydroxyquinoline), where their formation is well controlled by the reactants. When NaN₃ is used, compound 2 a heterometallic cluster, Na₂Co₄, was obtained. By contrast, without the addition of NaN₃, a distinct homometallic Co₄ cluster is generated. Importantly, this is accompanied by the formation of ligand L²⁻, which is also dependent on the addition of NaN₃. Further, their magnetic properties are also discussed.