Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of a cyanide-bridged FeIII–MnIII bimetallic chain based on [Fe(bipy)(CN)4]− building block

A cyano-bridged bimetallic chain complex of [Mn(salen)][Fe(bipy)(CN)4] (1) (salen = N,N´-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminato)dianion; bipy = 2,2´-bipyridine), which was prepared by self-assembly of [Fe(bipy)(CN)4]− and [Mn(salen)]+ ions, has been characterized by elemental analyses, ICP, IR, thermoanalysis, single crystal X-ray structure analysis and magnetic measurements. In complex 1, each [Fe(bipy)(CN)4]− unit connects two [Mn(salen)]+ units with its two trans-cyanide groups, and each [Mn(salen)]+ unit is linked to two [Fe(bipy)(CN)4]− ions in trans-positions, resulting in a straight one-dimensional neutral chain structure of complex 1. The chains are stacking via mainly the aromatic π–π-type interactions. Magnetic studies reveal the presence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent FeIII and MnIII ions through cyanide-bridges.