Importance of Steric Influences in the Construction of Multicomponent Hybrid Polymetallic Clusters

Ross Mclellan, Maria A. Palacios, Sergio Sanz, Euan K. Brechin, Scott J. Dalgarno

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The straightforward room temperature synthesis of hybrid polymetallic manganese clusters is investigated, exploit-ing complementary ligand combinations of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene and salicylaldoximes. Eight new [MnIII7MnII] clusters have been prepared wherein the simple substitution of alkyl or aryl groups at well-defined positions of the salicylaldoxime scaffold leads to two distinct structure types that, while exhibiting the same general topology, contain the unique MnII ion in different positions. Incorporation of a methyl, ethyl or isopropyl group at the 3-position of the aromatic skeleton or a phenyl group at the oximic carbon gives structure type A that displays competing weak ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions. Substitution of a methyl or ethyl group at the oximic carbon atom invokes structure type B, incorporating an additional bulky chloride or nitrate into the metal-lic core due to the smaller steric imposition and position of the methyl or ethyl group. The distortion of the cluster core is conse-quently enhanced, switching the magnetic properties and resulting in single-molecule magnet behavior. The presence of tert-butyl groups at the 3- and 5-positions of the salicylaldoxime skeleton leads to a new [MnIV2MnIII2] cluster that is found to be a single-molecule magnet. The bulky tert-butyl group in the 3-position is too large to facilitate Mn8 cluster formation, and thus assembly occurs by an alternative pathway. Characteristic bonding modes of the constituent ligands are retained in every case, and the results presented here give insight into the potential of ligand combinations in future studies, highlighting the importance of steric factors in evaluating their relevant compatibilities.
Original languageEnglish
JournalInorganic Chemistry
Early online date3 Aug 2017
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 3 Aug 2017

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