A mononuclear complex and a cubane cluster from the initial use of 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine in nickel(II) carboxylate chemistry

The reactions of 2-(hydromethyl)pyridine, hmpH, with Ni(O2CMe)2·4H2O in H2O, in the absence of counterions, have been investigated. The synthetic study has led to the two new complexes [Ni(O2CMe)2(hmpH)2] (1) and [Ni4(O2CMe)4(hmp)4(H2O)2] (2). Complex 1 can also be transformed into 2 by reacting with an excess of NaOH in H2O. The structures of 1 and 2·2.25H2O·0.5(1,4-dioxane) have been solved by single-crystal, X-ray crystallography. The octahedral NiII center in centrosymmetric 1 is coordinated by two 1.10 (Harris notation) MeCO2− groups and two N,O-chelating (1.11) hpmH ligands. The tetranuclear cluster molecule of 2·2.25H2O·0.5(1,4-dioxane) possesses a distorted cubane {Ni4(μ3-OR′)4}4+ core [R′ = (2-pyridyl)CH2–] with the NiII ions and the oxygen atoms from the 3.31 hmp− ligands occupying alternate vertices of the cube. Two 2.11 MeCO2− groups cap two opposite faces of the cube, while two 1.10 MeCO2− ions and two aqua ligands complete the octahedral coordination sphere of the metal centers. Characteristic IR bands for the two complexes are discussed in terms of the nature of bonding and the structures of the two complexes. The variable-temperature magnetic properties of 2 have been modeled with two J values, and reveal antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the four NiII ions to give a diamagnetic ground state.

Graphical abstractThe acetate/2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine combination in nickel(II) chemistry has provided access to a mononuclear complex and a tetranuclear cubane cluster containing the neutral and the anionic form of the pyridyl alcohol ligand, respectively; the products have interesting structures and properties.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide