Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of a cyanide-bridged FeIII-MnIII bimetallic chain based on [Fe(bipy)(CN)4]-building block

Abstract A cyano-bridged bimetallic chain complex of [Mn(salen)][Fe(bipy)(CN) 4 ] ( 1 ) (salen =  N,N ´-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminato)dianion; bipy = 2,2´-bipyridine), which was prepared by self-assembly of [Fe(bipy)(CN) 4 ] − and [Mn(salen)] + ions, has been characterized by elemental analyses, ICP, IR, thermoanalysis, single crystal X-ray structure analysis and magnetic measurements. In complex 1 , each [Fe(bipy)(CN) 4 ] − unit connects two [Mn(salen)] + units with its two trans -cyanide groups, and each [Mn(salen)] + unit is linked to two [Fe(bipy)(CN) 4 ] − ions in trans -positions, resulting in a straight one-dimensional neutral chain structure of complex 1 . The chains are stacking via mainly the aromatic π–π-type interactions. Magnetic studies reveal the presence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent Fe III and Mn III ions through cyanide-bridges.