A new [NiII4] distorted cubane assembly on four solvent derived μ3-OMe corners: Solvent dependent formation and cleavage of exogenous bridges

A new Ni4 distorted cubane complex [Ni4(μ3-OMe)4Q4(MeOH)4] (1) (where Q− is the anion of 8-quinolinol) is obtained from the reaction of NaQ with Ni(OAc)2 · 4H2O in refluxing MeOH via solvent derived μ3-OMe assisted self-assembly of four nickel(II) centres. The periphery of [Ni4(OMe)4] cubane is covered by four Q− and four MeOH molecules. This methanol specific reaction is not supported in solvent glycinol (Hgl; NH2(CH2)2OH), an amine substituted ethanol, producing monomeric [NiQ2(Hgl)2] · 2H2O (2 · 2H2O) instead and is able to cleave 1 to yield 2 · 2H2O. The cryomagnetic susceptibility data of powdered 1 can be modeled by a two J equation yielding J1 = −1.8(1) cm−1, J2 = 3.9(1) cm−1 and g = 2.24.

Graphical abstractThe solvent dependent course of formation and descend of Ni4 cubane [Ni4(μ3-OMe)4Q4(MeOH)4] (1) and mononuclear [NiQ2(Hgl)2] · 2H2O (2 · 2H2O) complexes have been examined in two similar solvents methanol and glycinol, respectively.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide