Novel heterometallic metal–azido complex synthesized by “one-step” reaction: synthetic strategy and magnetic properties

•It is difficult to construct simple coordination complexes with azide as “ligands” to obtain heterometallic metal–azido compounds.•A “one-step” method—hydrothermal reaction— was introduced to avoid the disadvantages of azide mentioned above.•The magnetic property is different with the isostructural homometal–azido complex due to the changed metal center.

A novel heterometallic complex, [Ni2Mn(N3)2(nic)4·(H2O)2]n (1) (nic=nicotinate), was obtained by assembling MnCl2·4H2O, Ni(NO3)2·6H2O, NaN3 and nicotinic acid with a “one step” synthetic strategy—hydrothermal reaction. The 3D structure of the complex can be described as end-on (EO) azido and syn,syn carboxylates mixed bridged by alternate Ni–Mn–Ni trimers linked by the nicotinate. Dominant ferromagnetic interactions were observed between the NiII and MnII ions in the trimer.

Graphical abstractA novel heterometallic 3D complex [Ni2Mn(N3)2(nic)4·(H2O)2]n (1) (nic=nicotinate) was synthesized by hydrothermal reaction. This complex exhibits interesting structural and magnetic properties.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide