Synthesis, Characterization, and Crystal Structure of a New Cu Complex with Salen-Type Ligand.

A new dinuclear CuII complex, [Cu2(3-MeOSalamo-2)(H2O)3]·2pic·CH3COCH3·H2O, has been synthesized by the reaction of copper(II) picrate tetrahydrate with H2(3-MeOSalamo-n) (n = 2). X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals that the complex is a dinuclear structure when the O-alkyl chain length is relatively short (two CH2 groups), while a tetranuclear structure is obtained when the O-alkyl chain length becomes longer (four CH2 groups). In the complex, the μ-phenoxo bridging, picratol, and intermolecular hydrogen bonds play important roles in assembling CuII ions and ligands. Interestingly, the complex not only has a helical chain, but has an infinite metal–water chain supramolecular structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]