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A single crystal to single crystal transmetallation process takes place in the three-dimensional (3D) metal-organic framework (MOF) of formula Mg(II) 2 {Mg(II) 4 [Cu(II) 2 (Me3 mpba)2 ]3 }⋅45 H2 O (1; Me3 mpba(4-) =N,N'-2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate)). After complete replacement of the Mg(II) ions within the coordination network and those hosted in the channels by either Co(II) or Ni(II) ions, 1 is transmetallated to yield two novel MOFs of formulae Co2 (II) {Co(II) 4 [Cu(II) 2 (Me3 mpba)2 ]3 }⋅56 H2 O (2) and Ni2 (II) {Ni(II) 4 [Cu(II) 2 (Me3 mpba)2 ]3 }⋅ 54 H2 O (3). This unique postsynthetic metal substitution affords materials with higher structural stability leading to enhanced gas sorption and magnetic properties., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The design and synthesis of novel examples of multifunctional magnetic materials based on the so-called coordination polymers (CPs) have become very attractive for chemists and physicists due to their potential applications in nanoscience and nanotechnology. However, their preparation is still an experimental challenge, which requires a deep knowledge of coordination chemistry and large skills in organic chemistry. The recent advances in this field using a molecular-programmed approach based on rational self-assembly methods which fully exploit the versatility of the coordination chemistry of the barely explored and evergreen family of N-substituted aromatic oligo(oxamato) ligands are presented in this feature article. These exploratory studies have revealed a wide variety of interesting multifunctional magnetic materials such as optically-active chiral and luminescent magnets or dynamic porous magnets as candidates for chemical sensing. Our feeling, however, is that we have only scratched the surface of the topic and that there are many more exciting brand-new molecule-based materials waiting to be discovered.

Six new heterometallic cobalt(II)-lanthanide(III) complexes of formulas [Ln(bta)(H2O)2]2[Co(H2O)6]·10H2O [Ln = Nd(III) (1) and Eu(III) (2)] and [Ln2Co(bta)2(H2O)8]n·6nH2O [Ln = Eu(III) (3), Sm(III) (4), Gd(III) (5), and Tb(III) (6)] (H4bta = 1,2,4,5-benzenetretracaboxylic acid) have been synthesized and characterized via single-crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 and 2 are isostructural compounds with a structure composed of anionic layers of [Ln(bta)(H2O)2]n(n-) sandwiching mononuclear [Co(H2O)6](2+) cations plus crystallization water molecules, which are interlinked by electrostatic forces and hydrogen bonds, leading to a supramolecular three-dimensional network. 3-6 are also isostructural compounds, and their structure consists of neutral layers of formula [Ln2Co(bta)2(H2O)8]n and crystallization water molecules, which are connected through hydrogen bonds to afford a supramolecular three-dimensional network. Heterometallic chains formed by the regular alternation of two nine-coordinate lanthanide(III) polyhedra [Ln(III)O9] and one compressed cobalt(II) octahedron [Co(II)O6] along the crystallographic c-axis are cross-linked by bta ligands within each layer of 3-6. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on polycrystalline samples for 3-6 have been carried out in the temperature range of 2.0-300 K. The magnetic behavior of these types of Ln(III)-Co(II) complexes, which have been modeled by using matrix dagonalization techniques, reveals the lack of magnetic coupling for 3 and 4, and the occurrence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions within the Gd(III)-Gd(III) (5) and Tb(III)-Tb(III) (6) dinuclear units through the exchange pathway provided by the double oxo(carboxylate) and double syn-syn carboxylate bridges.

A novel cobalt(II) complex of formula [Co2(cbut)(H2O)3]n (1) (H4cbut = 1,2,3,4-cyclobutanetetracarboxylic acid) has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and its crystal structure has been determined by means of synchrotron radiation and neutron powder diffraction. The crystal structure of 1 consists of layers of cobalt(II) ions extending in the bc-plane which are pillared along the crystallographic a-axis through the skeleton of the cbut(4-) ligand. Three crystallographically independent cobalt(II) ions [Co(1), Co(2), and Co(3)] occur in 1. They are all six-coordinate with four carboxylate-oxygens [Co(1)-Co(3)] and two cis-[Co(1)] or trans-water molecules [Co(2) and Co(3)] building distorted octahedral surroundings. Regular alternating double oxo(carboxylate) [between Co(1) and Co(1a)] and oxo(carboxylate) plus one aqua and a syn-syn carboxylate bridges [between Co(1) and Co(2)] occur along the crystallographic b-axis, the values of the cobalt-cobalt separation being 3.1259(8) and 3.1555(6) Å, respectively. These chains are connected to the Co(3) atoms through the OCO carboxylate along the [011] direction leading to the organic-inorganic bc-layers with Co(1)-OCO(anti-syn)-Co(3) and Co(2)-OCO(anti-anti)-Co(3) distances of 5.750(2) and 4.872(1) Å. The shortest interlayer cobalt-cobalt separation through the cbut(4-) skeleton along the crystallographic a-axis is 7.028(2) Å. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements show the occurrence of antiferromagnetic ordering with a Néel temperature of 5.0 K, followed by a field-induced ferromagnetic transition under applied dc fields larger than 1500 Oe. The magnetic structure of 1 has been elucidated at low temperatures in zero field by neutron powder diffraction measurements and was found to be formed by ferromagnetic chains running along the b-axis which are antiferromagnetically coupled with the Co(3) ions through the c-axis giving rise to noncompensated magnetic moments within each bc-layer (ferrimagnetic plane). The occurrence of an antitranslation operation between these layers produces a weak interlayer antiferromagnetic coupling along the a-axis which is overcome by dc fields greater than 1500 Oe resulting in a phase transition toward a ferromagnetic state (metamagnetic behavior).

Three new metal-organic framework structures containing Eu(III) and the little explored methanetriacetate (C7H7O6(3-), mta(3-)) ligand have been synthesized. Gel synthesis yields a two-dimensional framework with the formula [Eu(mta)(H2O)3]n·2nH2O, (I), while two polymorphs of the three-dimensional framework material [Eu(mta)(H2O)]n·nH2O, (II) and (III), are obtained through hydrothermal synthesis at either 423 or 443 K. Compounds (I) and (II) are isomorphous with previously reported Gd(III) compounds, but compound (III) constitutes a new phase. Compound (I) can be described in terms of dinuclear [Eu2(H2O)4](6+) units bonded through mta(3-) ligands to form a two-dimensional framework with topology corresponding to a (6,3)-connected binodal (4(3))(4(6)6(6)8(3))-kgd net, where the dinuclear [Eu2(H2O)4](6+) units are considered as a single node. Compounds (II) and (III) have distinct three-dimensional topologies, namely a (4(12)6(3))(4(9)6(6))-nia net for (II) and a (4(10)6(5))(4(11)6(4))-K2O2; 36641 net for (III). The crystal density of (III) is greater than that of (II), consistent with the increase of temperature, and thereby autogeneous pressure, in the hydrothermal synthesis.

The exchange mechanism and magnetic structure of the organic-inorganic layered molecule-based magnet [Co2(bta)]n (1) (H4bta =1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid) have been investigated through variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements and supported with a series of neutron diffraction experiments. Cryomagnetic studies have shown an antiferromagnetic ordering at a transition temperature of 16 K that is followed by the appearance of a weak ferromagnetism below 11 K. The weak antiferromagnetic interlayer interaction plays an important role in this system in spite of the long interlayer separation. A ferromagnetic ordering is induced by applied magnetic fields greater than 1800 G (metamagnetic behavior), and a slow magnetic relaxation from this ferromagnetic phase to the antiferromagnetic one is observed. The magnetic structure of 1 has been elucidated at low temperatures in zero field by neutron powder diffraction measurements and was found to be of antiferromagnetic nature with the local cobalt(II) spins (magnetic moments) being aligned ferromagnetically in the ac plane and antiferromagnetically coupled along the crystallographic b axis. No evidence for a long-range spontaneous ferromagnetic component below 11 K was observed in the neutron experiment.

Double-stranded anionic dinuclear copper(II) metallacyclic complexes of the paracyclophane type [Cu2L2](4-) have been prepared by the Cu(II)-mediated self-assembly of different para-phenylenebis(oxamato) bridging ligands with either zero-, one-, or four-electron-donating methyl substituents (L=N,N'-para-phenylenebis(oxamate) (ppba; 1), 2-methyl- N,N'-para-phenylenebis(oxamate) (Meppba; 2), and 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl- N,N'-para-phenylenebis(oxamate) (Me4ppba; 3)). These complexes have been isolated as their tetra-n-butylammonium (1 a-3 a), lithium(I) (1 b-3 b), and tetraphenylphosphonium salts (1 c-3 c). The X-ray crystal structures of 1 a and 3 c show a parallel-displaced π-stacked conformation with a smaller deviation from perpendicularity between the two benzene rings and the basal planes of the square planar Cu(II) ions when increasing the number of methyl substituents (average dihedral angles (ϕ) of 58.72(7) and 73.67(5)° for 1 a and 3 c, respectively). Variable-temperature (2.0-300 K) magnetic-susceptibility measurements show an overall increase of the intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling with the number of methyl substituents onto the para-phenylene spacers (-J=75-95, 100-124, and 128-144 cm(-1) for 1 a-c, 2 a-c, and 3 a-c, respectively; H=-JS1×S2). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements show a reversible one-electron oxidation of the double polymethyl-substituted para-phenylenediamidate bridging skeleton at a relatively low formal potential that decreases with the number of methyl substituents (E1=+0.33, +0.24, and +0.15 V vs. SCE for 1-3, respectively). The monooxidized dicopper(II) π-radical cation species 3' prepared by the chemical oxidation of 3 with bromine exhibits intense metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) transitions in the visible and near-IR (λmax=595 and 875 nm, respectively) regions together with a rhombic EPR signal with a seven-line splitting pattern due to hyperfine coupling with the nuclear spin of the two Cu(II) ions. Density functional (DF) calculations for 3' evidence a characteristic iminoquinonoid-type short-long-short alternating sequence of C-N and C-C bonds for both tetramethyl-para-phenylenediamidate bridges and a large amount of spin density of negative sign mainly delocalized along each of the four benzene C atoms directly attached to the amidate N atoms, which is in agreement with a fully delocalized π-stacked monoradical ligand description. Hence, the spins of the two Cu(II) ions (SCu=1/2) that are antiparallel aligned in 3 (OFF state) become parallel in 3' (ON state). Further developments may be then envisaged for this new permethylated dicopper(II) paracyclophane with a redox noninnocent ligand as a prototype for molecular magnetic electroswitch., (Copyright © 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

We herein present the synthesis and magneto-structural study of a new family of heterobimetallic chains of general formula {[Fe(III)(dmbpy)(CN)(4)](2)M(II)(H(2)O)(2)}(n)·pnH(2)O [dmbpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine; M = Mn (2), Cu (3), Ni (4) and Co (5) with p = 4 (2), 3 (3), 9 (4) and 3.5 (5)] which were prepared by using the mononuclear PPh(4)[Fe(III)(dmbpy)(CN)(4)]·3H(2)O (1) building block (PPh(4)(+) = tetraphenylphosphonium) as a ligand toward fully solvated M(II) ions. The structure of 1 consists of discrete [Fe(III)(dmbpy)(CN)(4)](-) anions, tetraphenylphosphonium cations and noncoordinated water molecules. Complexes 2-5 are isostructural compounds whose structure consists of neutral 4,2-wave like heterobimetallic chains of formula {[Fe(III)(dmbpy)(CN)(4)](2)M(II)(H(2)O)(2)}(n) where the [Fe(III)(dmbpy)(CN)(4)](-) entity adopts a bis-monodentate coordination mode toward trans-[M(II)(H(2)O)(2)] units through two of its four cyanide groups in cis positions. 1 exhibits the magnetic behaviour of magnetically isolated six-coordinate low-spin Fe(III) complexes with an important orbital contribution. 2 behaves as ferrimagnetic Fe(III)(2)Mn(II) chains, whereas 3-5 exhibit intrachain ferromagnetic couplings between the low-spin Fe(III) and either Cu(II) (3), Ni (4) or Co(II) (5) as well as frequency-dependence of the out-of-phase ac susceptibility signals below 3.0 (3), 5.5 (4) and 5.0 K (5). The relaxation time and the energy to reverse the magnetization of 3-5 are related to the anisotropy of the M(II) center and to the intra- and interchain magnetic interactions. Unprecedentedly in the world of cyanide-bearing complexes, 5 exhibits a double slow relaxation of the magnetization.

Two two-dimensional (2D) systems having the formula [{Fe(III)(dmbpy)(CN)(4)}(2)Co(II)L](n) [L = pyetNO (1), tvpNO (2)] and consisting of single-chain magnets connected through organic ligands (L) have been prepared, and their magnetic properties have been investigated. The overall magnetic behavior depends on the capacity of the organic pillars to transmit long-range magnetic interactions. 1 is the first example of a 2D compound exhibiting double relaxation of the magnetization, whereas 2 behaves as a metamagnet.

A novel isoreticular oxamato-based manganese(II)-copper(II) open metal-organic framework H(2)O@iso1 featuring a pillared square/octagonal layer structure with alternating open and closed octagonal pores has been rationally prepared. The open-framework topology is responsible for a large selectivity in the separation of small gas (CO(2) over CH(4)) and vapor molecules (CH(3)OH over CH(3)CN and CH(3)CH(2)OH). H(2)O@iso1 displays a long-range three-dimensional ferromagnetic ordering with a drastic variation of the critical temperature as a function of the guest molecule [T(C) < 2.0 K (CO(2)@iso1 and CH(4)@iso1) and T(C) = 6.5 (CH(3)OH@iso1) and 21.0 K (H(2)O@iso1)].

A unique magnetic electroswitching behavior has been observed in an oxamato-based permethylated dicopper(II) paracyclophane; upon reversible one-electron oxidation of the double tetramethyl-substituted p-phenylenediamidate bridging skeleton, the spin alignment of the two Cu(II) ions (S(Cu) = ½) changes from antiparallel (OFF) to parallel (ON) in the resulting dicopper(II) π-radical cation species.

Two distinct one-dimensional (1) and two-dimensional (2) mixed-metal-organic polymers have been synthesized by using the "complex-as-ligand" strategy. The structure of 1 consists of isolated ladderlike Mn(II)(2)Cu(II)(2) chains separated from each other by neutral Mn(II)(2) dimers, whereas 2 possesses an overall corrugated layer structure built from additional coordinative interactions between adjacent Mn(II)(2)Cu(II)(2) ladders. Interestingly, 1 and 2 show overall ferri- and antiferromagnetic behavior, respectively, as a result of their distinct crystalline aggregation in the solid state.

Increasing dimensionality [from 2D (1) to 3D (2)] and T(C) [from 10 (1) to 20 K (2)] in two new oxamato-bridged heterobimetallic Mn(II)(2)Cu(II)(3) open-frameworks result from the steric hindrance provided by the different alkyl substituents of the N-phenyloxamate bridging ligands., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012)

The concept of "molecular magnetic sponges" was introduced for the first time in 1999 by the creative imagination of the late Olivier Kahn. It refers to the exotic spongelike behavior of certain molecule-based materials that undergo a dramatic change of their magnetic properties upon reversible dehydration/rehydration processes. Here we report a unique example of a manganese(II)-copper(II) mixed-metal-organic framework of formula [Na(H(2)O)(4)](4)[Mn(4){Cu(2)(mpba)(2)(H(2)O)(4)}(3)]·56.5H(2)O (1) (mpba=N,N'-1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate)). Compound 1 possesses a 3D Mn(II)(4)Cu(II)(6) pillared layer structure with mixed square and octagonal pores of approximate dimensions 1.2×1.2 nm and 2.1×3.0 nm, respectively, hosting a large amount of crystallization H(2)O molecules and hydrated Na(I) countercations as guests. It reversibly switches from a crystalline hydrated phase with long-range ferromagnetic ordering at a rather high critical temperature (T(c)) of 22.5 K to an amorphous dehydrated phase with T(c) as low as 2.3 K, which is accompanied by a breathing-type dynamic effect involving a large crystal volume (ca. 45%) and color changes after water desorption/adsorption. The combination of both the open-framework structure and the spongelike optical, mechanical, and magnetic switching behavior in this new class of oxamato-based porous magnets offers fascinating possibilities in designing multifunctional materials for host-guest molecular sensing., (Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Five manganese(II) complexes of formulas [Mn(2)(Etmal)(2)(H(2)O)(2)(L)](n) (1-4) and {[Mn(Etmal)(2)(H(2)O)][Mn(H(2)O)(4)]}(n) (5) with H(2)Etmal = ethylmalonic acid (1-5) and L = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpa) (1), 4,4'-azobispyridine (azpy) (2), 4,4'-bipyridyl (4,4'-bpy) (3), and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe) (4) were synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Their thermal behavior and variable-temperature magnetic properties were also investigated. The structure of the compounds 1-4 consists of corrugated layers of aquamanganese(II) units with intralayer carboxylate-ethylmalonate bridges in the anti-syn (equatorial-equatorial) coordination mode which are linked through bis-monodentate bpa (1), azpy (2), 4,4'-bpy (3), and bpe (4) ligands to build up a three-dimensional (3D) framework. The structure of compound 5 is made up by zigzag chains of manganese(II) ions with a regular alternation of [Mn(H(2)O)(4)](2+) and chiral (either Δ or λ enantiomeric forms) [Mn(Etmal)(2)(H(2)O)](2-) units within each chain. In contrast to the bidentate/bis-monodentate coordination mode of the Etmal ligand in 1-4, it adopts the bidentate/monodentate coordination mode in 5 with the bridging carboxylate-ethylmalonate also exhibiting the anti-syn conformation but connecting one equatorial and an axial position from adjacent metal centers. The manganese-manganese separation through the carboxylate-ethylmalonate bridge in 1-5 vary in the range 5.3167(4)-5.5336(7) Å. These values are much shorter than those across the extended bis-monodentate N-donors in 1-4 with longest/shortest values of 11.682(3) (3)/13.9745(9) Å (4). Compounds 1-5 exhibit an overall antiferromagnetic behavior, where the exchange pathway is provided by the carboxylate-ethylmalonate bridge. Monte Carlo simulations based on the classical spin approach (1-5) were used to successfully reproduce the magnetic data of 1-5., (© 2011 American Chemical Society)

A new series of neutral oxamato-bridged M(II)Cu(II) chiral chains of general formula [MCuL(x)(S)(m)(H(2)O)(n)]·aS·bH(2)O [L(1)=(M)-1,1'-binaphthalene-2,2'-bis(oxamate) with M=Mn (1a) and Co (1b); L(2)=(P)-1,1'-binaphthalene-2,2'-bis(oxamate) with M=Mn (2a) and Co (2b)] and the analogous racemic chains of formula [MCuL(3)(S)(m)(H(2)O)(n)]·aS·bH(2)O [L(3)=1,1'-binaphthalene-2,2'-bis(oxamate) with M=Mn (3a) and Co (3b)] have been prepared by reaction of the corresponding dianionic oxamatocopper(II) complex [Cu(L(x))](2-) with Mn(2+) or Co(2+) cations in either dimethylformamide (DMF) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Solid circular dichroism (CD) spectra of the bimetallic chain compounds were recorded to establish their chiral and enantiomeric nature. They exhibit maximum positive and negative Cotton effects, each pair of enantiomeric chains being non-superimposable mirror images. The crystal structures of the Mn(II)Cu(II) (1a-3a) and the Co(II)Cu(II) (1b and 2b) chain compounds were solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Our attempts to obtain X-ray quality crystals of 3b were unsuccessful. The values of the shortest interchain Mn···Mn and Co···Co distances are indicative of a good isolation of neighbouring chains in the crystal lattice, which is caused by the bulky aromatic ligand. Although all the Mn(II)Cu(II) and Co(II)Cu(II) chains exhibit ferrimagnetic behaviour (-J(MnCu)=18.9-26.6 cm(-1) and -J(CoCu)=19.5-32.5 cm(-1)), only the enantiopure Co(II)Cu(II) chains (1b and 2b) show slow magnetic relaxation at low temperatures (T(B)=0.6-1.8 K), which is a characteristic of single-chain magnets (SCMs) and is related to the magnetic anisotropy of the high-spin Co(II) ion. Analysis of the SCM behaviour of 1b and 2b, based on Glauber's theory for an Ising one-dimensional system, shows a thermally activated mechanism for the magnetic relaxation (Arrhenius law dependence). The energy barriers (E(a)) to reverse the magnetisation direction are 8.2 (1b) and 8.1cm(-1) (2b), whereas the pre-exponential factor (τ(0)) is 1.9×10(-8) (1b) and 6.0×10(-9) s (2b). Interestingly, the racemic Co(II)Cu(II) chain analogue, 3b, showed no evidence of SCM behaviour., (Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Thermally reversible photomagnetic (ON/OFF) switching behavior has been observed in a dinuclear oxamatocopper(II) anthracenophane upon UV light irradiation and heating; the two Cu(II) ions (S(Cu) = 1/2) that are antiferromagnetically coupled in the dicopper(II) metallacyclic precursor (ON state) become uncoupled in the corresponding [4+4] photocycloaddition product (OFF state), as substantiated from both experimental and theoretical studies.

Two new heterobimetallic manganese(II)-copper(II) coordination polymers of formulas [Mn(2)Cu(2)(Me(3)mpba)(2)(H(2)O)(6)]·8H(2)O (1) and [Mn(2)Cu(2)(Me(4)ppba)(2)(H(2)O)(6)]·8H(2)O (2) [Me(3)mpba = 2,4,6-trimethyl-N,N'-1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate) and Me(4)ppba = 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-N,N'-1,4-phenylenebis(oxamate)] have been synthesized following a molecular-programmed self-assembly method from the corresponding dicopper(II) complexes acting as metalloligands toward Mn(II) ions. 1 and 2 consist of neutral Mn(II)(2)Cu(II)(2) layers with a brick-wall structure made up of oxamato-bridged Mn(II)Cu(II) chains connected through double meta- (1) and para-substituted (2) permethylated phenylene spacers. Overall magnetic (1) and nonmagnetic (2) layer ground states result from the ferro- and antiferromagnetic interchain interactions between the oxamato-bridged Mn(II)Cu(II) ferrimagnetic chains across m- and p-phenylene spacers, respectively. Interestingly, compound 1 exhibits a long-range ferromagnetic ordering with a rather high Curie temperature (T(C)) of 20.0 K.

A series of neutral oxamato-bridged heterobimetallic chains of general formula [MCu(L(x)2 (S)2] · p S · q H2O [p = 0-1, q = 0-2.5; L1 = N-2,6-dimethylphenyloxamate, S = DMF with M = Mn (1a) and Co (1b); L2 = N-2,6-diethylphenyloxamate, S = DMF with M = Mn (2a) and Co (2b) or S = DMSO with M = Mn (2c) and Co (2 d); L3 = N-2,6-diisopropylphenyloxamate, S = DMF with M = Mn (3a) and Co (3b) or S = DMSO with M = Mn (3c) and Co (3d)] were prepared by treating the corresponding anionic oxamatocopper(II) complexes [Cu(L(x))(2)]2- (x = 1-3) with M(2+) cations (M = Mn and Co) in DMF or DMSO as the solvent. The single-crystal X-ray structures of 2a and 3a reveal the occurrence of well-isolated, zigzag, oxamato-bridged manganese(II)-copper(II) chains. The intrachain Cu···Mn distances across the oxamato bridge are 5.3761(7) and 5.4002(17) Å for 2a and 3a, respectively, whereas the shortest interchain Mn···Mn distances are 9.4475(16) and 8.1649(14) Å for 2a and 3 a, respectively. All of these M(II) Cu(II) chains (M = Mn and Co) exhibit 1D ferrimagnetic behaviour with moderately strong intrachain antiferromagnetic coupling between the square-planar Cu(II) and octahedral high-spin M(II) ions across the oxamato bridge [-J=31.4-35.2 and 33.4-44.8 cm(-1) , respectively; H = ∑(i)-JS(M,i) (S(Cu,i) +S(Cu,i-1))]. Only the Co(II) Cu(II) chains show slow magnetic relaxation effects characteristic of single-chain magnets (SCMs). Analysis of the magnetic relaxation dynamics of 3d shows a thermally activated mechanism (Arrhenius law dependence) with values of the pre-exponential factor (τ(0) = 2.6 × 10(-9) s) and activation energy (E(a) =7.7 cm(-1) ) that are typical of SCMs. In contrast, two relaxation regimes are observed for 2d in different temperature regions (τ(0) = 3.2 × 10(-10) s and E(a) = 24.7 cm(-1) for T < 4.5K and τ(0) = 3.2 × 10(-14) s and E(a) = 37.5 cm(-1) for T>4.5K)., (Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Two new heterometallic Ni(II)(n)Cu(II)((9-n)) complexes [n = 1 (2) and 2 (3)] have been synthesized following a multicomponent self-assembly process from a n:(3 - n):2:6 stoichiometric mixture of Ni(2+), Cu(2+), L(6-), and [CuL'](2+), where L and L' are the bridging and blocking ligands 1,3,5-benzenetris(oxamate) and N,N,N',N'',N''-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, respectively. Complexes 2 and 3 possess a unique cyclindrical architecture formed by three oxamato-bridged trinuclear linear units connected through two 1,3,5-substituted benzenetris(amidate) bridges, giving a triangular metallacyclophane core. They behave as a ferromagnetically coupled trimer of two (2)/one (3) S = (1)/(2) Cu(II)(3) plus one (2)/two (3) S = 0 Ni(II)Cu(II)(2) linear units with overall S = 1 Ni(II)Cu(II)(8) (2) and S = (1)/(2) Ni(II)(2)Cu(II)(7) (3) ground states.

Double-stranded copper(II) string complexes of varying nuclearity, from di- to tetranuclear species, have been prepared by the Cu(II)-mediated self-assembly of a novel family of linear homo- and heteropolytopic ligands that contain two outer oxamato and either zero (1 b), one (2 b), or two (3 b) inner oxamidato donor groups separated by rigid 2-methyl-1,3-phenylene spacers. The X-ray crystal structures of these Cu(II) (n) complexes (n=2 (1 d), 3 (2 d), and 4 (3 d)) show a linear array of metal atoms with an overall twisted coordination geometry for both the outer CuN(2)O(2) and inner CuN(4) chromophores. Two such nonplanar all-syn bridging ligands 1 b-3 b in an anti arrangement clamp around the metal centers with alternating M and P helical chiralities to afford an overall double meso-helicate-type architecture for 1 d-3 d. Variable-temperature (2.0-300 K) magnetic susceptibility and variable-field (0-5.0 T) magnetization measurements for 1 d-3 d show the occurrence of S=nS(Cu) (n=2-4) high-spin ground states that arise from the moderate ferromagnetic coupling between the unpaired electrons of the linearly disposed Cu(II) ions (S(Cu)=1/2) through the two anti m-phenylenediamidate-type bridges (J values in the range of +15.0 to 16.8 cm(-1)). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations for 1 d-3 d evidence a sign alternation of the spin density in the meta-substituted phenylene spacers in agreement with a spin polarization exchange mechanism along the linear metal array with overall intermetallic distances between terminal metal centers in the range of 0.7-2.2 nm. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating-disk electrode (RDE) electrochemical measurements for 1 d-3 d show several reversible or quasireversible one- or two-electron steps that involve the consecutive metal-centered oxidation of the inner and outer Cu(II) ions (S(Cu)=1/2) to diamagnetic Cu(III) ones (S(Cu)=0) at relatively low formal potentials (E values in the range of +0.14 to 0.25 V and of +0.43 to 0.67 V vs. SCE, respectively). Further developments may be envisaged for this family of oligo-m-phenyleneoxalamide copper(II) double mesocates as electroswitchable ferromagnetic 'metal-organic wires' (MOWs) on the basis of their unique ferromagnetic and multicenter redox behaviors.

Two new compounds K(3)[Cu(3)(Hmesox)(3)(H(2)O)] x 4 H(2)O (1) and {(PPh(4))(2)[CoCu(3)(Hmesox)(3)Cl]} (2) [H(4)mesox = mesoxalic acid (2-dihydroxymalonic acid) and PPh(4)(+) = tetraphenylphosphonium cation] have been prepared and magneto-structurally characterized. Compound 1 contains the [Cu(3)(Hmesox)(3)](3-) entity which can be considered as a new precursor for molecular magnetism. In 1 the triangular arrangement of three copper(II) ions bridged by alkoxo groups are further connected to a symmetry-related tricopper(II) unit through a double oxo(carboxylate) bridge. The resulting hexacopper(II) entities are joined further through anti-syn carboxylate groups into an anionic three-dimensional network of formula [Cu(3)(Hmesox)(3)(H(2)O)](n)(3n-) whose charge is neutralized by univalent potassium cations. The strong decrease of the chi(M)T product [per three copper(II) ions] in the high temperature range with the occurrence of a plateau for a spin doublet at T < 65 K is as expected for the coexistence of two antiferromagnetic interactions within the quasi isosceles tricopper(II) core of 1 [J = -194(1) cm(-1) and j = -3(4) cm(-1), the Hamiltonian being defined as H = -J(S(1) x S(2) + S(2) x S(3)) - j(S(1) x S(2))]. Compound 2 exhibits a chiral three-dimensional structure which is made up of an anionic [Co(II)Cu(II)(3)(mu(3)-Cl)(Hmesox)(3)](n)(2n-) framework with a (10,3)-a topology whose cavities are filled by PPh(4)(+) cations. The [Cu(II)(3)(mu(3)-Cl)(Hmesox)(3)](3-) tricopper(II) unit in 2 acts as a tris-bidentate ligand through the Hmesox groups toward three cobalt(II) ions, these latter ones being tris-chelated. Alternating current (ac) and direct current (dc) magnetic susceptibility measurements of 2 show a ferrimagnetic behavior with a magnetic ordering at T(c) = 18.5 K and a coercive field H(c) = 5000 G. As shown by the magneto-structural study of 2, the use as a ligand of 1 versus metal ions other than cobalt(II) or preformed complexes whose coordination sphere is partially blocked represents a new and rational preparative route toward multifunctional heterometallic compounds.

Two new digadolinium(III) complexes with monocarboxylate ligands, [Gd2(pac)6(H2O)4] (1) and [Gd2(tpac)6(H2O)4] (2) (Hpac = pentanoic acid and Htpac = 3-thiopheneacetic acid), have been prepared and their structures determined by X-ray diffraction on single crystals. Their structures consist of neutral and isolated digadolinium(III) units, containing six monocarboxylate ligands and four coordinated water molecules, the bridging skeleton being built by a muO(1):kappa2O(1)O(2) framework. This structural pattern has already been observed in the parent acetate-containing compound [Gd2(ac)6(H2O)4] x 4 H2O (3) whose structure and magnetic properties were reported elsewhere (L. Cañadillas-Delgado, O. Fabelo, J. Cano, J. Pasán, F. S. Delgado, M. Julve, F. Lloret and C. Ruiz-Pérez, CrystEngComm, 2009, 11, 2131). Each gadolinium(III) ion in 1 and 2 is nine-coordinated with seven carboxylate-oxygen atoms from four pac (1)/tpac (2) ligands and two water molecules (1 and 2) building a distorted monocapped square antiprism. The values of the intramolecular gadolinium-gadolinium separation are 4.1215(5) (1), 4.1255(6) (2) and 4.1589(3) A (3) and those of the angle at the oxo-carboxylate bridge (theta) are 113.16(13) (1), 112.5(2) (2) and 115.47(7) degrees (3). Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the temperature range 1.9-300 K reveal the occurrence of a weak intramolecular antiferromagnetic interaction [J = -0.032(1) (1) and -0.012(1) cm(-1) (2), the Hamiltonian being defined as H = -JS(A) x S(B)] in contrast with the intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling which occurs in 3 (J = +0.031(1) cm(-1)). The magneto-structural data of 1-3 show the relevance of the geometrical parameters at the muO(1):kappa2O(1)O(2) bridge on the nature of the magnetic coupling between two gadolinium(III) ions.

Homo- and heterometallic octanuclear complexes of formula Na₂{[Cu₂(mpba)₃][Cu(Me₅dien)]₆}-(ClO₄)₆·12H₂O (1), Na₂{[Cu₂(Mempba)₃][Cu(Me₅dien)]₆}(ClO₄)₆·12H₂O (2), Na₂{[Ni₂(mpba)₃]-[Cu(Me₅dien)]₆}(ClO₄)₆·12H₂O (3), Na₂{[Ni₂(Mempba)₃][Cu(Me₅dien)]₆}(ClO₄)₆·9H₂O (4), {[Ni₂(mpba)₃][Ni(dipn)(H₂O)]₆}(ClO₄)₄·12.5H₂O (5), and {[Ni₂(Mempba)₃][Ni(dipn)-(H₂O)]₆}(ClO₄)₄·12H₂O (6) [mpba = 1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate), Mempba = 4-methyl-1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate), Me₅dien = N,N,N',N'',N''-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, and dipn = dipropylenetriamine] have been synthesized through the "complex-as-ligand/complex-as-metal" strategy. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of 1, 3, and 5 show cationic M(II)₂M'(II)₆ entities (M, M' = Cu and Ni) with an overall double-star architecture, which is made up of two oxamato-bridged M(II)M'(II)₃ star units connected through three meta-phenylenediamidate bridges between the two central metal atoms leading to a binuclear metallacryptand core of the meso-helicate-type. Dc magnetic susceptibility data for 1-6 in the temperature range 2-300 K have been analyzed through a "dimer-of-tetramers" model [H = - J(S(1A)·S(3A) + S(1A)·S(4A) + S(1A)·S(5A) + S(2B)·S(6B) + S(2B)·S(7B) + S(2B)·S(8B)) - J'S(1A)·S(2B), with S(1A) = S(2B) = S(M) and S(3A) = S(4A) = S(5A) = S(6B) = S(7B) = S(8B) = S(M')]. The moderate to strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the M(II) and M'(II) ions through the oxamate bridge in 1-6 (-J(Cu-Cu) = 52.0-57.0 cm⁻¹, -J(Ni-Cu) = 39.1-44.7 cm⁻¹, and -J(Ni-Ni) = 26.3-26.6 cm⁻¹) leads to a non-compensation of the ground spin state for the tetranuclear M(II)M'(II)₃ star units [S(A) = S(B) = 3S(M') - S(M) = 1 (1 and 2), 1/2 (3 and 4), and 2 (5 and 6)]. Within the binuclear M(II)₂ meso-helicate cores of 1-4, a moderate to weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the M(II) ions (-J'(Cu-Cu) = 28.0-48.0 cm⁻¹ and -J'(Ni-Ni) = 0.16-0.97 cm⁻¹) is mediated by the triple m-phenylenediamidate bridge to give a ground spin singlet (S = S(A) - S(B) = 0) state for the octanuclear M(II)₂Cu(II)₆ molecule. Instead, a weak ferromagnetic coupling between the Ni(II) ions (J'(Ni-Ni) = 2.07-3.06 cm⁻¹) operates in the binuclear Ni(II)₂ meso-helicate core of 5 and 6 leading thus to a ground spin nonet (S = S(A) + S(B) = 4) state for the octanuclear Ni(II)₈ molecule. Dc magnetization data for 5 reveal a small but non-negligible axial magnetic anisotropy (D = -0.23 cm⁻¹) of the S = 4 Ni(II)₈ ground state with an estimated value of the energy barrier for magnetization reversal of 3.7 cm⁻¹ (U = -DS²). Ac magnetic susceptibility data for 5 show an unusual slow magnetic relaxation behaviour at low temperatures which is typical of "cluster glasses". The temperature dependence of the relaxation time for 5 has been interpreted on the basis of the Vogel-Fulcher law for weakly interacting clusters, with values of 2.5 K, 1.4 × 10⁻⁶ s, and 4.0 cm⁻¹ for the intermolecular interaction parameter (T₀), the pre-exponential factor (τ₀), and the effective energy barrier (U(eff)), respectively.

The self-assembly of an enantiomerically pure, chiral dianionic oxamatocopper(II) complex with cobalt(II) ions leads to neutral oxamato-bridged heterobimetallic chains that combine chirality and slow magnetic relaxation, providing thus the first example of "chiral single chain magnets" (CSCMs).

The preparation, X-ray crystallography and magnetic investigation of the first examples of methanetriacetate (mta)-containing lanthanide(III) complexes of formulae [Gd(mta)(H(2)O)(3)](n)4 n H(2)O (1) [Gd(mta)(H(2)O)(3)](n)2 n H(2)O (2) and [Gd(2)(mta)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](n)2 n H(2)O (3) are described herein. This tripodal ligand promotes the formation of 6(3) networks; thus 1 consists of a honeycomb structure, whereas in 2 two of these layers are condensed to form a rare five-connected two-dimensional (4(8)6(2)) network. Compound 3 can be seen as an aggregation of 6(3) layers leading to a three-dimensional (6,6)-connected binodal (4(12)6(3))(4(9)6(6))-nia net, in which the gadolinium(III) ions and the mta ligands act as octahedral and as trigonal prismatic nodes, respectively. The magnetic properties of 1-3 were investigated in the temperature range 1.9-300 K. A close fit to the Curie law (1) and weak either antiferro- [J=-0.0063(1) cm(-1) (2)] or ferromagnetic [J=+0.0264(6) cm(-1) (3)] interactions between the Gd(III) ions are observed; the different exchange pathways involved [extended tris-bidentate mta (1) and mu-O(1);kappa(2)O(1),O(2) (2 and 3) plus single syn-syn carboxylate-mta (3)] accounting for these magnetic features. The nature and magnitude of the magnetic interactions, between the Gd(III) ions in 1-3, agree with the small amount of data existing in the literature for these kind of bridges.

Two new cobalt(II) complexes of formula [Co(2)(bta)(H(2)O)(6)](n) x 2nH(2)O (1) and [Co(phda)(H(2)O)](n) x nH(2)O (2) [H(4)bta = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid, H(2)phda = 1,4-phenylenediacetic acid] have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 is a one-dimensional compound where the bta(4-) ligand acts as 2-fold connector between the cobalt(II) ions through two carboxylate groups in para-conformation. Triply bridged dicobalt(II) units occur within each chain, a water molecule, a carboxylate group in the syn-syn conformation, and an oxo-carboxylate with the mu(2)O(1);kappa(2)O(1),O(2) coordination mode acting as bridges. Compound 2 is a three-dimensional compound, where the phda(2-) group acts as a bridge through its two carboxylate groups, one of them adopting the mu-O,O' coordination mode in the syn-syn conformation and the other exhibiting the single mu(2)-O'' bridging mode. As in 1, chains of cobalt(II) ions occur in 2 with a water molecule, a syn-syn carboxylate group, and an oxo-carboxylate constitute the triply intrachain bridging skeleton. Each chain is linked to other four ones through the phda(2-) ligand, giving rise to the three-dimensional structure. The values of the intrachain cobalt-cobalt separation are 3.1691(4) (1) and 3.11499(2) A (2) whereas those across the phenyl ring of the extended bta(4-) (1) and phda(2-) (2) groups are 10.1120(6) and 11.4805(69 A, respectively. The magnetic properties of 1 and 2 have been investigated in the temperature range 1.9-300 K, and their analysis has revealed the occurrence of moderate intrachain ferromagnetic couplings [J = +5.4 (1) and +2.16 cm(-1) (2), J being the isotropic magnetic coupling parameter], the magnetic coupling through the extended bta(4-) and phda(2-) with cobalt-cobalt separations larger than 10 A being negligible. The nature and magnitude of the magnetic interactions between the high-spin cobalt(II) ions in 1 and 2 are compared to those of related systems and discussed as a function of the complementarity-countercomplementarity effects of the triple bridges.

A prelude to redox-based, ferromagnetic "metal-organic switches" is exemplified by a new trinuclear oxalamide cobalt triple mesocate that presents two redox states (ON and OFF) with dramatically different magnetic properties; the two terminal high-spin d(7) Co(II) ions (S = (3)/(2)) that are ferromagnetically coupled in the homovalent tricobalt(II) reduced state (2) become uncoupled in the heterovalent tricobalt(II,III,II) oxidized state (2(ox)) upon one-electron oxidation of the central low-spin d(7) Co(II) ion (S = (1)/(2)) to a low-spin d(6) Co(III) ion (S = 0).

The preparation, X-ray crystallography, and magnetic investigation of the compounds [Co(H(2)O)(2)(phda)](n) (1), [Co(phda)](n) (2), and [Co(chda)](n) (3) [H(2)phda = 1,4-phenylenediacetic acid and H(2)chda = 1,1-cyclohexanediacetic acid] are described herein. The cobalt atoms in this series are six- (1) and four-coordinated (2 and 3) in distorted octahedral (CoO(6)) and tetrahedral (CoO(4)) environments. The structures of 1-3 consists of rectangular-grids which are built up by sheets of cobalt atoms linked through anti-syn carboxylate bridges, giving rise to either a three-dimensional structure across the phenyl ring (1 and 2) or to regularly stacked layers with the cyclohexyl groups acting as organic separators (3). The magnetic properties of 1-3 were investigated as a function of the temperature and the magnetic field. Ferromagnetic coupling between the six-coordinate cobalt(II) ions across the anti-syn carboxylate bridge occurs in 1 (J = +1.2 cm(-1)) whereas antiferromagnetic coupling among the tetrahedral cobalt(II) centers within the sheets is observed in 2 and 3 [J = -1.63 (2) and -1.70 cm(-1) (3)] together with a spin-canted structure in 3 giving rise a long-range magnetic ordering (T(c) = 7.5 K).

New homo- and heterobimetallic tetranuclear complexes of formula [Cu(4)(mpba)(Me(4)en)(4)(H(2)O)(4)](ClO(4))(4).3H(2)O (1), [Cu(4)(mpba)(Me(4)en)(4)(H(2)O)(4)](PF(6))(4).2H(2)O (2), [Cu(4)(ppba)(Me(4)en)(4)(H(2)O)(4)](ClO(4))(4).2H(2)O (3), [Cu(4)(mpba)(dipn)(4)](ClO(4))(4).3H(2)O (4), [Cu(4)(ppba)(dipn)(4)](ClO(4))(4).2H(2)O (5), and [Cu(2)Ni(2)(ppba)(dipn)(4)(H(2)O)(2)](PF(6))(4) (6) [mpba = N,N'-1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate), ppba = N,N'-1,4-phenylenebis(oxamate), Me(4)en = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, and dipn = dipropylenetriamine] have been synthesized and structurally and magnetically characterized. Complexes 1-6 have been prepared following a molecular-programmed self-assembly method, where a heteropolytopic tetranucleating phenylenedioxamato bridging ligand (L = mpba or ppba) is bound to four metal ions of identical or different natures (M = Cu(II) and/or Ni(II)) with partially blocked coordination sites by bi- or tridentate polyamine terminal ligands (L' = Me(4)en or dipn). The structures of 1-6 consist of cationic tetranuclear Cu(II)(2)M(II)(2) entities with an overall (4)R rack-type architecture, which is made up of two oxamato-bridged homo- (1-5) or heterodinuclear (6) Cu(II)M(II) units (M = Cu and Ni) connected through either a meta- (1, 2, and 4) or a para-substituted (3, 5, and 6) phenylene spacer between the Cu(II) ions. The magnetic properties of 1-6 have been interpreted according to their "dimer-of-dimers" structure [H = -J(S(1).S(2) + S(3).S(4)) - J'(S(1).S(3)) with S(1) = S(3) = S(Cu) = 1/2 and S(2) = S(4) = S(M) = 1/2 (M = Cu) or 1 (M = Ni)]. The homometallic Cu(II)(4) complexes exhibit either strong (-J = 330-350 cm(-1)) or weak-to-moderate (-J = 4.8-87.1 cm(-1)) antiferromagnetic intradimer couplings through the oxamato bridge, depending on the bi- (1-3) or tridentate (4 and 5) nature of the terminal ligand, respectively. The heterometallic Cu(II)(2)Ni(II)(2) complex with a tridentate terminal ligand (6) shows instead a moderate antiferromagnetic intradimer coupling (-J = 50 cm(-1)). Otherwise, the nature and magnitude of the interdimer coupling cannot be unambiguously determined except for the pair of homo- and heterometallic Cu(II)(2)M(II)(2) complexes [M = Cu (5) and Ni (6)] with the p-phenylenedioxamato bridging ligand and a tridentate terminal ligand, which show a weak antiferromagnetic interdimer coupling (-J' = 14 and 23 cm(-1)) across the para-substituted phenylene spacer.

The hydrothermal preparation, crystal structure determination, and magnetic study of two isomers made up of 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylate and high-spin Co(II) ions of formula [Co2(bta)(H2O)4]n x 2n H2O (1 and 2; H4bta = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid) are reported. 1 and 2 are three-dimensional compounds whose structures can be described as (4,4) rectangular layers of trans-diaquacobalt(II) units with the bta(4-) anion acting as tetrakis-monodentate ligand through the four carboxylate groups, which are further connected through other trans-[Co(H2O)2](2+) (1) and planar [Co(H2O)4](2+) (2) entities, with the bridging units being a carboxylate group in either the anti-syn (1) or syn-syn (2) conformations and a water molecule (2). The study of the magnetic properties of 1 and 2 in the temperature range 1.9-300 K shows the occurrence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the high-spin Co(II) ions, with the strong decrease of chi(M)T upon cooling being mainly due to the depopulation of the higher energy Kramers doublets of the six-coordinated Co(II) ions. The computed values of the exchange coupling between the Co(II) ions across anti-syn carboxylate (1) and syn-syn carboxylate/water (2) bridges are J = -0.060 (1) and -1.90 (2) cm(-1) (with the Hamiltonian being defined as H = -Jsigma(i,j)S(i) x S(j)). These values follow the different conformations of the carboxylate bridge in 1 (anti-syn) and 2 (syn-syn) with the occurrence of a double bridge in 2 (water/carboxylate).

Three new mixed-ligand cobalt(II) complexes of formula [Co2(H2O)6(bta)(bpym)]n.4nH2O (1), [Co2(H2O)2(bta)(bpym)]n (2), and [Co2(H2O)4(bta)(bpym)]n.2nH2O ( 3) (bpym = 2,2'-bipyrimidine and H 4bta = 1,2,4,5-benzenetretracaboxylic acid) have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 is a chain compound of mer-triaquacobalt(II) units which are linked through regular alternating bis-bidentate bpym and bis-monodentate bta groups. 2 and 3 are three-dimensional compounds where aquacobalt(II) ( 2) and cis-diaquacobalt(II) ( 3) entities are linked by bis-bidentate bpym ( 2 and 3) and tetrakis- ( 2 and 3) and octakis-monodentate ( 2) bta ligands. The cobalt atoms in 1- 3 exhibit somewhat distorted octahedral surroundings. Two bpym-nitrogen atoms ( 1- 3) and either two bta-oxygens ( 2) or one bta-oxygen and a water molecule ( 1 and 3) build the equatorial plane, whereas the axial positions are filled either by two water molecules ( 1) or by a bta-oxygen atom and a water molecule ( 2 and 3). The values of the cobalt-cobalt separation across the bridging bpym vary in the range 5.684(2)-5.7752(7) A, whereas those through the bta bridge cover the ranges 5.288(2)-5.7503(5) A (across the anti-syn carboxylate) and 7.715(3)-11.387(1) A (across the phenyl ring). The magnetic properties of 1- 3 have been investigated in the temperature range 1.9-290 K. They are all typical of an overall antiferromagnetic coupling with the maxima of the magnetic susceptibility at 14.5 ( 1) and 11.5 K ( 2 and 3). Although exchange pathways through bis-bidentate bpym and carboxylate-bta in different coordination modes are involved in 1- 3, their magnetic behavior is practically governed by that across the bpym bridge, the magnitude of the exchange coupling being J = -5.59(2) ( 1), -4.41(2) ( 2), and -4.49(2) ( 3) with the Hamiltonian H = - JS 1 S 2.

New homo- and heterometallic, hexa- and pentanuclear complexes of formula {[Cu2(mpba)2(H2O)F][Cu(Me5dien)]4}(PF6)(3).5H2O (1), {[Cu2(Me3mpba)2(H2O)2][Cu(Me5dien)]4}(ClO4)(4).12H2O (2), {[Cu2(ppba)2][Cu(Me5dien)]4}(ClO4)4 (3), and [Ni(cyclam)]{[Cu2(mpba)2][Ni(cyclam)]3}(ClO4)(4).6H2O (4) [mpba=1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate), Me3mpba=2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate), ppba=1,4-phenylenebis(oxamate), Me5dien=N,N,N'N' ',N' '-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, and cyclam=1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane] have been synthesized through the use of the "complex-as-ligand/complex-as-metal" strategy. The structures of 1-3 consist of cationic CuII6 entities with an overall [2x2] ladder-type architecture which is made up of two oxamato-bridged CuII3 linear units connected through two m- or p-phenylenediamidate bridges between the two central copper atoms to give a binuclear metallacyclic core of the cyclophane-type. Complex 4 consists of cationic CuII2NiII3 entities with an incomplete [2x2] ladder-type architecture which is made up of oxamato-bridged CuIINiII and CuIINiII2 linear units connected through two m-phenylenediamidate bridges between the two copper atoms to give a binuclear metallacyclophane core. The magnetic properties of 1-3 and 4 have been interpreted according to their distinct "dimer-of-trimers" and "dimer-plus-trimer" structures, respectively, (H=-J(S1A.S3A+S1A.S4A+S2B.S5B+S2B.S6B)-J'S1A.S2B). Complexes 1-4 exhibit moderate to strong antiferromagnetic coupling through the oxamate bridges (-JCu-Cu=81.3-105.9 cm-1; -JCu-Ni=111.6 cm-1) in the trinuclear and/or binuclear units. Within the binuclear metallacyclophane core, a weak to moderate ferromagnetic coupling (J'Cu-Cu=1.7-9.0 cm-1) operates through the double m-phenylenediamidate bridge, while a strong antiferromagnetic coupling (J'Cu-Cu=-120.6 cm-1) is mediated by the double p-phenylenediamidate bridge.

Self-assembly of copper(l) ions, phenylmalonate and pyrimidine yields the layered compound [Cu(pym)(Phmal)n (1) where intralayer ferro- and interlayer antiferromagnetic interactions occur with three-dimensional antiferromagnetic ordering at T(c) = 2.15 K.

Two new phenylmalonate-bridged copper(II) complexes with the formulas [Cu(4,4'-bpy)(Phmal)](n).2nH(2)O (1) and [Cu(2,4'-bpy)(Phmal)(H(2)O)](n)() (2) (Phmal = phenylmalonate dianion, 4,4'-bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine, 2,4'-bpy = 2,4'-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2(1), Z = 4, with unit cell parameters of a = 9.0837(6) Angstroms, b = 9.3514(4) Angstroms, c = 11.0831(8) Angstroms, and beta = 107.807(6) degrees , whereas complex 2 crystallizes in orthorhombic space group C2cb, Z = 8, with unit cell parameters of a = 10.1579(7) Angstroms, b = 10.3640(8) Angstroms, and c = 33.313(4) Angstroms. The structures of 1 and 2 consist of layers of copper(II) ions with bridging bis-monodentate phenylmalonate (1 and 2) and 4,4'-bpy (1) ligands and terminal monodentate 2,4'-bpy (2) groups. Each layer in 1 contains rectangles with dimensions of 11.08 x 4.99 Angstroms(2), the edges being defined by the Phmal and 4,4'-bpy ligands. The intralayer copper-copper separations in 1 through the anti-syn equatorial-apical carboxylate-bridge and the 4,4'-bpy molecule are 4.9922(4) and 11.083(1) Angstroms, respectively. The anti-syn equatorial-equatorial carboxylate bridge links the copper(II) atoms in complex 2 within each layer with a mean copper-copper separation of 5.3709(8) Angstroms. The presence of 2,4'-bpy as a terminal ligand accounts for the large interlayer separation of 15.22 Angstroms. The copper(II) environment presents a static pseudo-Jahn-Teller disorder which has been studied by EPR and low-temperature X-ray diffraction. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of both compounds in the temperature range 2-290 K show the occurrence of weak antiferromagnetic [J = -0.59(1) cm(-1) (1)] and ferromagnetic [J = +0.77(1) cm(-1) (2)] interactions between the copper(II) ions. The conformation of the phenylmalonate-carboxylate bridge and other structural factors, such as the planarity of the exchange pathway in 1, account for the different nature of the magnetic interaction.

The octanickel(II) cluster 2b has been synthesized from the novel ferromagnetically coupled dinickel(II) metallacryptand 1b assembled from the m-phenylene-bis(oxamate) ligand. Complex 2b exhibits a dimer-of-tetramers structure, with two oxamate-bridged propeller-shaped tetranuclear units connected through three meta-substituted phenylenediamidate bridges, giving a metallacryptand core of the meso-helicate type. Complex 2b behaves as a ferromagnetically coupled dimer of two S=2 Ni(II)4 units with appreciable magnetic anisotropy.

An octanuclear copper(II) complex possessing a dimer-of-tetramers structure self-assembles from a binuclear oxamatocopper(II) metallacryptand of the meso-helicate type; its magnetic behaviour is consistent with its unique double-propeller molecular topology.