A new coordination mode of (E)-3-(3-hydroxyl-phenyl)-acrylic acid in copper complex: Crystal structure and magnetic properties

•A new copper complex with acrylic acid ligand was synthesized and analyzed.•We find the phenolic hydroxyl of MCA ligand coordinates to metal ion firstly.•A ferromagnetic exchange interactions between Cu(II) ions has been achieved.

A copper complex {[Cu(py)2(L)2]·2CH3OH}n (HL=(E)-3-(3-hydroxyl-phenyl)-acrylic acid) (1) with acrylic acid ligand was synthesized and structurally analyzed by IR, elemental analysis, TGA and the single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. It is the first time to find that phenolic hydroxyl of L coordinates to Cu(II). Complex 1 exhibits 1D chain by a double-bridge of ligands, and the 3D supramolecular framework in complex 1 is constructed by π–π stacking interactions and van der Waals Contacts among the 1D chains. The magnetic properties of complex 1 have been studied.

Graphical abstractA copper complex based on (E)-3-(3-hydroxyl-phenyl)-acrylic acid in a novel coordinated way was synthesized and a ferromagnetic exchange interactions between neighboring Cu(II) ions has be achieved.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide