Ferromagnetic copper(II)–copper(II) interaction in a single chlorido and dicyanamido bridged mixed–valence copper(I/II) 2-D polymer generated by in situ partial reduction of copper(II)

Abstract

A mixed-valence 2-D Cu(I/II) complex, [{Cu(II)(dmen)(μ-Cl)(μ_1,5-dca)}{Cu(I)(μ_1,5-dca)}]_n (1) (dmen = N,N-dimethylethylenediamine, dca = dicyanamide = [N(CN)₂]⁻), has been synthesized by in situ partial reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) using benzoin (2-hydroxy-1,2-di(phenyl)ethanone) as reductant. Complex 1 was characterized by spectroscopic techniques, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and low temperature magnetic measurements. Structural investigation reveals that 1 represents a mixed-valence 2-D coordination polymer formed by parallel 1-D [Cu(II)(dmen)(Cl)Cu(I)(μ_1,5-dca)₂]_n chains running along the b axis, where chloride bridges Cu(II) ions of adjacent polymers through long connections (2.8401(1) Å) to form a 2-D network. The metal centers have two different geometrical environments (distorted square pyramidal and distorted trigonal planar geometries for Cu(II) and Cu(I), respectively). The Cu(II) ions in [Cu(II)(dmen)(μ-Cl)(dca)]_n are interconnected through single chloride bridges while within the [Cu(I)(μ_1,5-dca)]_n units, the dca connects adjacent Cu(I) ions through μ_1,5-dca bridges. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal weak ferromagnetic interactions (J = +0.3 cm⁻¹) within the chlorido-bridged Cu(II) regular chain present in 1. Simultaneous presence of μ_1,5-dca and single chlorido bridges with ferromagnetic coupling is believed to be unique in mixed-valence Cu(I)/Cu(II) complexes.

Keywords:

• Mixed-valence copper complexes
• Coordination polymer
• Dicyanamido bridge
• Single chlorido bridge
• Ferromagnetic interaction

Acknowledgements

M. Nandy gratefully acknowledges the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, Government of India, for awarding Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) to him [CSIR sanction No. 09/096(0598)/2009-EMR-I]. Thanks are also extended to University Grants Commission, New Delhi, for financial assistance to S. Mitra as emeritus fellow to carry out this work. We also thank the Spanish MINECO [grant number project CTQ2011-26507] and the Generalitat Valencia [grant number project Prometeo II/2014/076 and ISIC] for financial support.