Ferromagnetic interaction in iron(II)–bis-Schiff base complexes

The preparation and magnetic properties of three Fe(II)–bis-Schiff base complexes, [Fe2(L1)2(4,4′-bpy)] · MeOH (1), [Fe(L2)(EtOH)] (2) and [Fe(L3)(MeOH)] (3) (L1 = N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde)-1,2-phenylenediimine; L2 = N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine; L3 = N,N′-bis(5-Cl-salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine; 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine) are reported. X-ray single crystal structure analyses for 1–3 reveal that 1 shows a dinuclear Fe(II)–bis-Schiff base complex bridged by 4,4′-bpy, while 2 and 3 show mononuclear structures. Molecular packing of 2 shows a uniform one-dimensional chain structure through hydrogen bonds and Fe⋯π interaction and that of 3 indicates significant π–π interaction to form a dimmer structure. The χT–T plots of 1–3 show all ferromagnetic interaction at low temperature. The origin of the ferromagnetic interaction observed in 2 is tentatively ascribed to the dimer formation through Fe⋯π interaction at low temperature.

Graphical abstractThree Fe(II)–bis-Schiff base complexes, a bpy-bridged dimer, a monomer with one-dimensional chain and a dimer through π⋯π interaction, show ferromagnetic interaction at low temperature, probably due to the Fe⋯π interaction as indicated for the first compound.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide