FeII, CoII and NiII complexes based on 1-chloro-3-(pyridin-2-yl)imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine: synthesis, structures, single-molecule magnetic and electrocatalytic properties

Abstract

Three complexes of formulae [Fe₂(L)₂Cl₄] (1), [Co₂(L)₂Cl₄] (2) and [Ni(L)₂Cl₂]·CH₂Cl₂ (3) were synthesized from the reactions of the L ligand (L = 1-chloro-3-(pyridin-2-yl)imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine) with chloride salts of Fe^II, Co^II, and Ni^II ions under solvothermal conditions. The structures of 1–3 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The binuclear complexes 1 and 2 are isostructural. The two metal ions of each complex show different coordination environments. Complex 3 displays a mononuclear structure. The magnetic properties of 1–3 were studied. Complex 1 exhibits a slow magnetization relaxation behaviour. The catalytic properties of complexes 1–3 toward the OER under basic conditions were studied. They were all catalytically active, and complex 3 showed a higher activity.