Cubane-type {M 4 O 4 } (M = Co II , Zn II , Cu II ) clusters: synthesis, crystal structures, and luminescent and magnetic properties

• Published in: RSC advances Vol. 5; no. 54; pp. 43195 - 43201
• Main Authors: Gao, Qian, Qin, Yaru, Chen, Yanmei, Liu, Wei, Li, Haiyan, Wu, Bing, Li, Yahong, Li, Wu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• ISSN: 2046-2069; 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/C5RA04868K

The employment of the hydroxyl-rich ligand ( E )-3-((2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)amino)propane-1,2-diol (H 3 L) in the chemistry of cubane-type {M 4 O 4 } clusters is reported. Three cubane-type clusters of the formula [M 4 (HL) 4 ] (M = Co II ( 1 ), Zn II ( 2 ), Cu II ( 3 )) were achieved by reactions of metal acetates with H 3 L under solvothermal conditions. The structures of 1 , 2 and 3 have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The tetranuclear clusters 1–3 have cubane-type [M 4 (μ 3 -OR) 4 ] 4+ cores with divalent metal atoms and deprotonated oxygen atoms (originating from the HL 2− ligands) occupying alternate vertices. The luminescence studies suggest strong emission for 2 in the solid state at room temperature. The magnetic properties of 1 and 3 have been investigated. The variable-temperature dc magnetic susceptibility studies indicate ferromagnetic M II ⋯M II exchange interactions for 1 and 3 . The ac magnetic susceptibility investigation reveals that complex 1 shows slow magnetic relaxation (SMM) behavior.