Novel tetranuclear Ni(II) Schiff base complex containing Ni4O4 cubane core: Synthesis, X-ray structure, spectra and magnetic properties

•Nickel(II) complex having symmetric Ni4O4 cubane-core.•N2ON2 donor Schiff base ligand.•X-ray structure.•Photoluminescent behavior.•Magnetic properties.

Novel tetranuclear nickel(II) Schiff base complex having symmetric Ni4O4 cubane-core, [Ni4O2(OAc)2(L)2] (1) has been synthesized. Single crystal of the complex exhibits four nickel atoms in the alternate corner of the cubane and other four sites are occupied by phenolate-O and μ3-O2−. Variable temperature magnetic moment data suggests the Ni centres are weakly antiferromagnetically coupled with J1 = −4.82 cm−1 and J2 = −4.83 cm−1. The electronic spectra, emission properties and life time measurement of ligand, HL and complex 1 have been studied.

Graphical abstractA nickel(II) Schiff base complex having symmetric Ni4O4 cubane-core, [Ni4O2(OAc)2(L)2] (1) (where, HL = 4-methyl-2,6-bis((quinoline-8-ylimino)methyl)phenol) has been synthesized and characterized. Single crystal of 1 having Ni4O4 cubane-core characterized by four nickel atoms occupying the alternate corner of the cubane and other four sites are occupied by phenolate-O and μ3-O2−. Variable temperature magnetic moment data suggests the Ni centers are weakly antiferromagnetically coupled with J1 = −4.82 cm−1 and J2 = −4.83 cm−1.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide