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The title compound, C8H8NO4 +·NO3 −·H2O, crystallizes in the same space group (P21/c) as the previously reported dihydrate form [Liang & Zhu (2010). Acta Cryst. E66, o667], but with two formula units per asymmetric unit instead of one. In the crystal, the components are linked into a three-dimensional network by classical intermolecular O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions. A Hirshfeld surface (HS) analysis indicated that the most important contributions to the crystal packing are from H...O/O...H (52.4%), H...H (13.9%) and C...C (11.2%) for one cation and H...O/O...H (46.3%), H...H (20%) and O...C/C...O (10.6%) for the other.

The title compound, [Co(C

A series of lanthanide dinuclear complexes and chains incorporating two derivatives of cinnamic acid (2-methoxycinnamic acid and 3-methoxycinnamic acid) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, Infra-Red Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence and magnetic measurements. The use of the 2-methoxycinnamic ligand enables the synthesis of two dinuclear complexes (Eu3+ (1), Tb3+ (2)), while the presence of 3-methoxycinnamic acid induces the formation of one-dimensional coordination polymers (Eu3+ (3), Gd3+ (4)). Investigations of the magnetic properties reveals a field-induced slow relaxation of the magnetization for the gadolinium analogue 4, whereas the characteristic Eu3+ luminescence is observed for the europium-based materials 1 and 3.

International audience

International audience; The present study deals with the synthesis and characterization by single-crystal X-ray analysis and IR spectroscopy of two new Copper (II) complexes with bidentate Schiff base ligand [N'-(propan-2-ylidene) thiophene-2-carbohydrazide] (HL). Depending on the copper salt used in the synthesis, a mononuclear or doubly chloro bridged dinuclear Copper (II) complexes of respective formula [Cu(L) 2 ] (1) and [Cu 2 (μ-Cl) 2 (HL) 2 Cl 2 ] (2) have been obtained. Magnetic study of complex 2 indicates the presence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the metal centers. To determine the antioxidant properties of both complexes, the ABTS radical scavenging and the reduction of copper (II)-neocuproine [Cu(II)-Nc] (CUPRAC) methods were used; 1 was more efficient than 2, for the two antioxidants assays. Lastly, Anti AChE activity method has been used to estimate in vitro anti-Alzheimer effect of 1 and 2 both of which show a potent AChE inhibition.

Two novel tridentate Schiff-base ligands containing carboxylate groups were obtained from the condensation of 3-amino-4-hydroxybenzoic acid with either acetylacetone (H3L1) or salicylaldehyde (H3L2). H3L1 reacted with copper(II) acetate and pyridine (strongly coordinating solvent) to afford the C1 complex, while reaction of H3L2 with nickel(II) acetate and pyridine afforded two types of complexes C2 and C3. The two ligands and their metal complexes were fully characterized by elemental analysis, XRD and spectroscopic analysis. Upon its fully deprotonated state, (L1)3− coordinates in a keto-enamine fashion and acts as a ditopic binder through an ONO tridentate donor system and an O monodentate donor system (carboxylate). Upon its doubly deprotonated state, (HL2)2− ligand acts either as monotopic tridentate binder (i.e. enol-imine form with an ONO donor system that lead to complex C2) or as a ditopic ligand (ONO tridentate and O monodentate donor systems to afford complex C3). The molecular structure of all the compounds were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies and revealed several important characteristics. In complex C1, the Cu(II) cations are five-coordinated with a slightly distorted square pyramidal geometry, while in C2 and C3 complexes, the Ni(II) ions are four and six–coordinated with a square planar and a slightly distorted octahedral geometry, respectively. Following this structural investigation, the antioxidant activities of the free ligands and their metal complexes were then investigated and demonstrated interesting antioxidant features especially for H3L2 and complex C3. Lastly, temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements showed the presence of ferromagnetic interactions in C1 mediated through the phenoxido bridges.

A new dihydroxo-bridged binuclear chromium(III) complex [Cr(µ-OH)(Py)2(N3)2]2•Py has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, infrared spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. This metal complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with two binuclear formula units in the crystal cell dimensions a = 10.114(5) A, b = 10.416(5) A, c = 17.341(5) A and β = 105.248(5)°. The Cr…Cr separation is 3.042 (2) A and the bridging Cr–O–Cr angle is 101.83(3)°. In addition, moderate O-H…N hydrogen bond and weak C-H…N and π–π stacking interactions, link the components of the structure into a three-dimensional network. The magnetic susceptibility of a powdered sample has been examined in the temperature range 1.8–300 K. The dinuclear complex exhibits an antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the metal centers, with the best fit to the Van Vleck equation including biquadratic exchange yielding J = −6.762(9) cm−1 and (g) = 1.9938(2). DFT geometry optimizations using the two B3LYP and PBE0 hybrid functionals were carried out (spin-orbit coupling omitted) on dichromium [CrIII(μ-OH)2CrIII] complex 1 in high spin (HS) septet ground state with valence electronic 3d3α⋅⋅⋅3d3α configuration. The broken symmetry (BS) 3d3α⋅⋅⋅3d3β state was predicted slightly lower in energy than the HS one, suggesting an occurrence of weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the two Cr(III) metal spin carriers. The computed super-exchange constant J equals to −5.19 cm−1, in keeping with the experimental value. The DFT/B3LYP/BS results show that the spin density is mostly localized on the two Cr(III) metal centers. The DFT results reveal that the weak exchange coupling exhibited by the complex is due to the small spin density along the dihydroxo-bridged path [CrIII(μ-OH)2CrIII] linking the two metal spin carriers.

A series of dinuclear lanthanide complexes incorporating the 2-ethoxycinnamate ligand have been synthesized and characterized using elemental analyses, infra-red spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. Depending on the nature of the lanthanide ion, three different isostructural series of respective formulas, [Ln(L)3(DMSO)(H2O)]2 (Ln = Ce (1), Nd (2)), [Ln(L)3(DMSO)x(DMF)y(H2O)]2 (Ln = Gd (3), Dy (5) and Er (6)) and [Tb(L)3(DMF)(H2O)]2 (4) have been obtained. Investigations of their magnetic properties reveal a genuine single-molecule magnet behaviour observed for the dysprosium based compound 5, while a field-induced slow relaxation of the magnetization is found for compounds 1, 2 and 3.

We report an investigation on the synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a series of heteroleptic Zn

The authors thank the University of Montpellier, CNRS,MESRS (Algeria) for financial support and PAC of ICGM formagnetic measurements.; International audience; We report an investigation on the synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a series of heteroleptic Zn2+/Ln3+ complexes of the general formula [ZnLClLn(o-van)(H2O)(NO3)]·H2O (H2L = N,N′-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)-1,2-diaminoethane; o-van = o-vanillinate; Ln = Tb (1), Dy (2), Er (3)). All the compounds exhibit a slow relaxation of their magnetization and the dysprosium analogue shows one of the highest anisotropic barriers for ZnDy complexes.

Reaction of nickel chloride with acetylacetone bis(salicylhydrazone) (L) (prepared in situ by condensation of acetylacetone with salicylhydrazide) in methanol results in the formation of air-sensitive nickel (II) complex of symmetrical tetradentate Schiff base [NiII(L)] (1). Air oxidation of 1 leads to the formation of dinuclear species [NiII(L-L)NiII] (2) where the ligand (L-L)4– is formed by oxidative C-C coupling at the central methylene group of the acetylacetone fragment of (L)2–. The same reaction in methanol/pyridine solution leads to oxidative C-N coupling forming a mesoionic [NiII(L-Py)](3). The use of Nickel acetylacetonate in methanol/pyridine or DMSO solution under aerobic conditions provide [NiII(L-O)(py)2](4), [NiII(L-O)(DMSO)2](5). In this case, the ligand (L)2– is partially oxidized to form (L-O) which is formed by oxidation of the central methylene group. The molecular structure of 1–5 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The first three complexes 1, 2 and 3 have a square-planar geometry, while, 4 and 5 adopt octahedral geometry. In vitro antioxidant activities of compounds 1, 4 and 5 were evaluated against DPPH radical and hydrogen peroxide and were compared with standard antioxidant, ascorbic acid. Our results reveal that the three compounds exhibit excellent radical scavenging activities. DFT calculations have been performed on complexes 1–5 using the BP86 and B3LYP functionals to provide a complete rationalization of their structures and to describe their electronic structures elucidating the fundamental spin state and the Metal-Ligand interaction type.

International audience; Rare-earth doped silica-based glasses lead the optical materials due to their tailorable spectroscopic and optical properties. In this context, we took advantage of the sol-gel process to prepare various Eu-doped silica glasses to study their luminescent properties before and after annealing at 900 • C. The effect of magnesium on these properties was studied in comparison with Mg-free-glass. Using TEM, nitrogen sorption, XRD and FT-IR, we confirmed that the magnesium modifies the glass structure and the thermal treatment eliminates the aqueous environment, modifying the structure ordering. The emission spectra and the decay time curves show the advantages of the Mg addition and the annealing on the photoluminescent properties.

We report here the synthesis and investigation into the magnetic properties of a luminescent trinuclear Zn

We report here the synthesis and investigation into the magnetic properties of a luminescent trinuclear Zn2Dy Schiff-base complex that exhibits a zero-field single-molecule magnet behaviour. Magneto-structural correlation confirms that the axial crystal-field is generated by the phenoxide moieties while the characteristic Dy3+-based luminescence is observed.

The construction of supramolecular architectures based on inorganic–organic coordination frameworks with weak noncovalent interactions has implications for the rational design of functional materials. A new crystalline binuclear copper(II) one-dimensional polymeric chain, namely catena-poly[[[tetrakis(μ-4-azaniumylbutanoato-κ2 O:O′)dicopper(II)(Cu—Cu)]-μ-chlorido-[diaquadichloridocopper(II)]-μ-chlorido] bis(perchlorate)], {[Cu3Cl4(C4H9NO2)4(H2O)2](ClO4)2} n , was obtained by the reaction of 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA) with CuCl2·2H2O in aqueous solution. The structure was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and was also characterized by IR spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. The crystal structure consists of [{Cu2(GABA)4}{CuCl4(H2O)2}]+ cations and isolated perchlorate anions. Two symmetry-related CuII centres are bridged via carboxylate O atoms into a classical paddle-wheel configuration, with a Cu...Cu distance of 2.643 (1) Å, while bridging Cl atoms complete the square-pyramidal geometry of the metal atoms. The Cl atoms connect the paddlewheel moieties to a second CuII atom lying on an octahedral site, resulting in infinite helical chains along the c axis. The packing motif exhibits channels containing free perchlorate anions. The crystal structure is stabilized by hydrogen bonds between the perchlorate anions, the coordinated water molecules and the ammonium groups of the polymeric chains. The magnetic analysis of the title compound indicates a nontrivial antiferromagnetic behaviour arising from alternating weak–strong antiferromagnetic coupling between neighbouring CuII centres.

Discrete and extended architectures based on the association of lanthanide ions with two derivatives of cinnamic acid (2-methoxycinnamic acid and 3-methoxycinnamic acid) have been synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. The use of the 2-methoxycinnamic ligand enables the synthesis of a series of dinuclear complexes (Ce3+ (1), Nd3+ (2), Gd3+ (3), Dy3+ (4)), while the presence of 3-methoxycinnamic acid induces the formation of one-dimensional coordination polymers (Ce3+ (5), Nd3+ (6), Dy3+ (7)). Investigations of the magnetic properties of the complexes reveal that they all exhibit field-induced slow relaxation of the magnetisation, mainly induced by Raman and direct relaxation processes.

Two new complexes [MnIII(HL)2(acac)] and [MnII(HL)2]n have been obtained by reacting manganese(III) acetylacetonate monohydrate or manganese(II) chloride monohydrate with 2-salicylichydrazono-1,3-dithiolane ligand (H2L). Both compounds have been fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the solid state, the molecular packing are described and discussed in term of weak H-bonds and short contacts. The unprecedented bridging coordination mode of this ligand lead to the first 2-salicylichydrazono-1,3-dithiolane-bridged coordination polymer [MnII(HL)2]n. The EPR spectrum of this compound was obtained with g ≈ 2.07, corresponding to a manganese ion (+II) in octahedral high-spin coordination sphere. The MnII complex exhibit paramagnetic behavior corresponding to quasi-isolated metal centers.

Three new transition metal complexes, [Cu(L-cyst)(dmbpy)(H 2 O)] ( 1 ), [Mn(dmbpy) 2 (N 3 )(Cl)] ( 2 ) and [Co(dmbpy) 3 ].[CoCl 4 ].Cl.7H 2 O ( 3 ) with (L-cyst = L-cysteic acid, dmbpy = 4,4’-dimethyl-2,2’-bipyridine, N 3 = azide) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, thermal analysis (DTA/TGA), IR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). In the complex 1 , the copper atoms are five-coordinated in a distorted square pyramidal site. It forms monomeric species, which are further connected into a three-dimensional supramolecular network through hydrogen bonding interactions. In the complex 2 , the manganese atoms have a distorted octahedral environment with four nitrogen atoms of the two dmbpy , one nitrogen atom provided from azide ligand, the coordination sphere being completed by a chlorine atom. ( 2 ) is also a monomeric complex and the molecular structure of compound 2 is stabilized by non standard weak C-H…Cl hydrogen-bonds. The asymmetric unit of the complex 3 is built of two cobalt-containing fragments: the cationic [Co II (dmbpy) 3 ] +2 and the anionic (Co II Cl 4 ) −2 groups. The molecular structure of compound 3 is stabilized by hydrogen bonds via O-H…O, O-H…Cl and C-H…Cl interactions. The thermal decompositions for 1 and 3 in the temperature range 30–1000 °C has revealed that the Cu complex decomposes in three steps whereas Co complex decomposes in four steps and transforms into the corresponding metal oxide.

Two polynuclear transition-metal complexes, [CoII3(cinna)6(phen)2] (1), [CuII2(cinna)2(phen)2(NO3)(H2O)]NO3·CH3OH (2), where cinna = trans-cinnamate, PhCH = CHCO2− and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, infrared spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) and magnetic measurements. 1 contains two independent geometrical isomers of [Co3(cinna)6(phen)2], where the cobalt atoms form a linear spine bridged by carboxylate from cinnamate radiating perpendicular to it, the 1,10-phenanthroline chelating the ends. Weak C H···O hydrogen bonds in two directions generate a bidimensional network. 1 behaves as a paramagnet due to the absence of magnetic exchange between the trimers in the absence of chemical bonds between trimers. 2 contains a positively charged dimer of copper ions bridged to two cinnamate in syn–syn mode with two almost parallel phenanthroline molecules chelating the two copper ions, while a water molecule and one NO3− coordinate their axial positions. The dimer is described as a pincer molecule. Weak O H···O and C H···O hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions are consistent with a description of a supramolecular assembly of dimers. The exchange coupling within the doubly-bridged copper atoms is antiferromagnetic (J = −153(1) K).

A series of MnII, FeII, CoII, NiII and CuII layered mandelates has been synthesised in the form of crystalline powders by a hydrothermal route. The five compounds are isostructural with the copper analogue, also obtained in a single crystal form, except that the latter shows a strong Jahn−Teller distortion of the coordination spheres around the CuII centres. The complexes crystallise in the monoclinic centrosymmetric space group P21/a and their structures consist of layers of six-coordinate metal(II) ions interconnected through carboxylato bridges in a diamond-like network. The magnetic data indicate very small antiferromagnetic in-plane couplings for 1, 2, 3 and 5, with J/kB = −0.122 K for 1. The NiII compound 4 exhibits ferromagnetic coupling within the layers (J/kB = +1.213 K) and ferromagnetic 3D ordering can be observed at TC = 2.7 K. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)

In the title hydrated salt, [NiCl(C10H8N2)2](NO3)·3H2O, the Ni2+ion is coordinated by two 2,2′-bipyridyl (2,2′-bpy) ligands and a chloride ion in a trigonal–bipyramidal geometry. The chloride ion occupies an equatorial site and the dihedral angle between the 2,2′-bpy ring systems is 72.02 (6)°. In the crystal, the components are linked by C—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds and aromatic π–π stacking interactions [shortest centroid–centroid separation = 3.635 (2) Å], generating a three-dimensional network.

In the title compound, [Fe(C10H8N2)3](C9H5N4O)2·2H2O, the chiral cations lie across twofold rotation axes in the space group C2/c. The anions and the water molecules are linked by two independent O—H...N hydrogen bonds to form C 2 2(8) chains, and these chains are linked by the cations via C—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds to form two interpenetrating three-dimensional frameworks, each of which contains only one enantiomeric form of the chiral cation.

In the title salt, C14H18N22+·2C9H5N4O−, the 1,1′-diethyl-4,4′-bipyridine-1,1′-diium dication lies across a centre of inversion in the space groupP21/c. In the 1,1,3,3-tetracyano-2-ethoxypropenide anion, the two independent –C(CN)2units are rotated, in conrotatory fashion, out of the plane of the central propenide unit, making dihedral angles with the central unit of 16.0 (2) and 23.0 (2)°. The ionic components are linked by C—H...N hydrogen bonds to form a complex sheet structure, within which each cation acts as a sixfold donor of hydrogen bonds and each anion acts as a threefold acceptor of hydrogen bonds.

A new chiral 3D metal-organic coordination polymer [Cd((S)-mal)] (mal = malic acid), has been solvothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TG and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Colorless crystals crystallize in the orthorhombic system, space group P212121, a = 6.804(1), b = 8.488(2), c = 9.997(3) A, V = 577.35 (2) A3, Z = 4 and R1 = 0.0298. The structure of the compound exhibits a chiral 3D covalent framework based on chiral bridging ligands, the coordination environment around the CdII is pentagonal bipyramidal.

In the title compound, C10HI2N2+·2CI−, the naphthalene-1,5-diammonium ion lies on an inversion center; the asymmetric unit contains half of the cation and one Cl− anion. The structure can be described as consisting of alternating layers of C10HI2N2+ and CI− ions perpendicular to the a axis. The structure contains N—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, which build up a two-dimensional network.

In the structure of the mononuclear title complex, [Cu(C8H7O4)2(C2H6OS)2], the CuII atom lies on an inversion centre and has an octa­hedral coordination geometry of type MO6. The bidentate dehydro­acetic acid (DHA) ligands occupy the equatorial plane of the complex in a trans configuration, and the dimethyl­sulfoxide (DMSO) ligands are weakly coordinated through their O atoms.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, (C4H6N3O)2[SnCl6], contains one cytosinium cation and half a [SnCl6]2− anion, the anion lying on an inversion centre. The structure can be described as alternating layers of cytosinium and hexa­chloro­stannate ions along the c axis. The packing is stabilized by N—H⋯Cl and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonding, resulting in the formation of a two-dimensional network.

The structure of the title compound, (C5H7N5)2[SnCl6]Cl2·4H2O, can be described as alternating layers of C5H7N52+ and [SnCl6]2− ions along the b axis, the SnIV atom lying on a twofold axis. The chloride ions are located between the organic entities, forming hydrogen bonds with the N atoms and water molecules. Layers of adeninium cations and hexa­chloro­stannate anions are linked by anion–cation, cation–water and water–water hydrogen bonds. This three-dimensional complex network of hydrogen bonds ensures the cohesion of the ionic structure.

The title compound, {[Co(C10H8N2)2(H2O)2](NO3)2·4H2O} n , (C10H8N2 = 4,4'-bipyridine = 4,4'-bpy) is a layered coordination polymer built up from a cationic square grid extending in (101) enclosing uncoordinating nitrate ions and water mol-ecules. The Co(II) ion has site symmetry 2 and one of the 4,4'-bpy ligands is generated by twofold symmetry [two N atoms and two C atoms lie on the rotation axis and the dihedral angle between the pyridine rings is 45.66 (5)°]. The other 4,4'-bpy ligand is generated by a crystallographic inversion center. The Co(II) ion exhibits a slightly distorted octa-hedral coordination geometry defined by two O atoms of two coordinating water mol-ecules and four N atoms from four bridging 4,4'-bpy ligands. The structure is consolidated by O-H⋯O, C-H⋯O and C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds.

The title compound, C(12)H(16)N(2)O(2), crystallized from toluene with two independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit. The dihedral angles between the amide groups and the benzene ring are 60.87 (11) and 54.08 (11)° in one independent molecule and 60.13 (11) and 64.64 (11) in the other. The crystal structure features weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and C-H⋯π inter-actions.

The title compound, [Na(C10H9.5N2O2S2)2(H2O)], is a molecular sodium complex with N′-(1,3-dithiolan-2-yl)-2-hydroxybenzohydrazide ligands with the negative charge spread evenly over both, and a water molecule. The NaI ion coordination is distorted trigonal–bipyramidal, formed by two N and three O atoms, with the NaI ion lying on a twofold rotation axis. Intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds occur. Molecules pack as discrete units and the crystal packing is stabilized by strong O—H...O hydrogen bonds, which give rise to chains along [010]; the chains are interlinked by strong O—H...O hydrogen bonds.

A new series of chiral carboxylate-bridged complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) has been synthesized by reaction of M(II) salts with (S)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-butanedioic acid ((S)-citramalic acid) under solvothermal conditions. The Mn(II) compound 1 is obtained as a crystalline powder, whereas the Co(II) and Ni(II) compounds (2 and 3 respectively) are obtained as single crystals. All the compounds crystallize in orthorhombic chiral space group P212121. Compounds 2 and 3 are isostructural, and their structure consists in helicoidal chains of M(II) centres linked by carboxylate bridges. The magnetic data indicate a rather weak coupling interaction between paramagnetic centres. The Mn(II) compound 1 exhibits antiferromagnetic ordering at TN = 2.64 K. The Co(II) and Ni(II) compounds show ferromagnetic interactions within the chains. For 3, the chains couple antiferromagnetically, which leads to a metamagnetic behaviour with TN = 1.69 K.

Mg2Ru2Cl10O.16H2O {dimagnesium mu-oxo-bis[pentachlororuthenate(IV)] hexadecahydrate} crystallizes in the monoclinic system (space group P2(1)/c). The structure consists of layers of [Ru2Cl10O]4- anions, [Mg(H2O)6]2+ cations and water molecules stacked along the a axis. Only the O atom bonded to Ru occupies the 2a site with -1 symmetry. All the other atoms occupy general 4e sites. The crystal structure is stabilized by O-H...O and O-H...Cl interactions.

Carboxylate-bridged complexes of transition metals, M(II)=Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), were synthesised by reaction of M(II) salts with dl-malate and L-malate under hydrothermal conditions. These complexes form four series of compounds, which have been fully characterised structurally, thermally and magnetically. The crystal structures of the new chiral compounds, [Mn(L-mal)(H(2)O)] (1), [Fe(L-mal)(H(2)O)] (2), [Co(L-mal)(H(2)O)] (3) and [Zn(L-mal)(H(2)O)] (4) as well as those of the bimetallic analogues [Mn(0.63)Co(0.37)(L-mal)(H(2)O)] (5) and [Mn(0.79)Ni(0.21)(L-mal)(H(2)O)] (6) have been solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The six L-malate monohydrates crystallise in the chiral space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) and consist in a three-dimensional network of metal(II) centres in octahedral sites formed by oxygen atoms. These structures were compared to those of the chiral trihydrate compounds [Co(L-mal)(H(2)O)]2 H(2)O (7), [Ni(L-mal)(H(2)O)]2 H(2)O (8) and [Co(0.52)Ni(0.48)(L-mal)(H(2)O)]2 H(2)O (9), which exhibit helical chains of M(II) centres, and those of dl-malate dihydrates [Co(dl-mal)(H(2)O)]H(2)O (10) and [Ni(dl-mal)(H(2)O)H(2)O (11) and trihydrate [Mn(L-mal)(H(2)O)]2 H(2)O (12) highlighting the great flexibility of the coordination by the malate ligand. UV/Vis spectroscopic results are consistent with octahedral coordination geometry of high-spin transition-metal centres. Extensive magnetic characterisation of each homologous series indicates rather weak coupling interaction between paramagnetic centres linked through carboxylate bridges. Curie-like paramagnetic, antiferromagnetic, ferromagnetic or weak ferromagnetic behaviour is observed and discussed on the basis of the structural features. The bimetallic compounds 5 and 6 represent new examples of chiral magnets.

Carboxylate-bridged complexes of transition metals, MII = MnII, FeII, CoII, NiII, CuII, were synthesized by reaction of MII salts with (R)-mandelic acid ((R)-2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid), methoxymandelic acid (racemic) (2-methoxyphenylacetic acid) and (R)-malic acid ((R)-2-hydroxybutanedioic acid) under hydrothermal conditions. A wide variety of structures has been obtained, with various dimensionalities: 3D networks when the malic diacid is used, 2D networks with the mandelic acid, 1D isolated chains organised in planes for the Co and Cu compounds with MeOmandelic acid and monomers for the Ni analogue. These complexes have been fully characterized structurally and magnetically. During the reaction process, the (R)-mandelic ligand undergoes a racemisation reaction but the compounds obtained with (R)-malic acid are chiral and exhibit metal-centred circular dichroism. Extensive magnetic characterization of all compounds indicates rather weak coupling interactions between paramagnetic centres linked through carboxylate bridges. Curie-like paramagnetic, antiferromagnetic, ferromagnetic or weak ferromagnetic behaviour was observed and is discussed on the basis of the structural features. The bimetallic compounds Mn0.63Co0.37(R)-malate monohydrate (12) and Mn0.79Ni0.21(R)-malate monohydrate (13) are new examples of chiral magnets.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C7H10N+·Cl−·H2O, contains a 2-methyl­anilinium cation, a chloride anion and one mol­ecule of water. The crystal structure consists of alternating layers of hydro­phobic and hydro­philic zones of o-toluidine along the c axis. The water mol­ecules and the chloride anions are sandwiched between these layers. A large number of cation–anion, cation–water and water–anion hydrogen bonds result in a two-dimensional network which reinforces the cohesion of the ionic structure.

The title compound, C27H24N2O2, is built up from an unsaturated ester attached to two naphthylamine fragments. An intra­molecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bond may influence the conformation of the molecule.