Synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of one-dimensional Fe-M (M = Ni^II, Cu^II) coordination polymers bridged by nitroprusside

Self-assembling [Fe(CN)₅(NO)]^2- and [M(L)]²⁺ (M = Ni, Cu; L = macrocycles) led to one-dimensional coordination polymers, [Ni(L1)][Fe(CN)₅(NO)] · 2H₂O (1) with parallel chains and [Cu(L2)][Fe(CN)₅(NO)] · 3H₂O (2) exhibiting a slanted chain structure. Compound 1 contains a planar macrocycle L1 coordinated to a slightly distorted octahedral Ni(II) ion in which the planarity of L1 gives rise to piling up chains in parallel. In contrast, a more flexible macrocyclic ligand L2 in 2 that surrounds a Cu center with a tetragonal elongation has bulky cyclohexyl groups together with pendant methyl side groups. The presence of the methyl groups on L2 in a chain makes the cyclohexyl groups in an adjacent chain tilted against the CuN₄ basal plane with the methyl groups, eventually resulting in the slanted chain structure. Magnetic data demonstrate that antiferromagnetic interactions (J ≈ -0.13 cm^-1) are operating although the paramagnetic centers are linked by the long diamagnetic [Fe(CN)₅(NO)]^2- anion.