An Antiferromagnetically Coupled Heterometal Cu6Fe Wheel

A heterometal Cu6Fe wheel molecule, [CuII6FeIII(HL)6(OH)2(OCH3)4](NO3)3·6H2O (1·6H2O) (H2L = 1-(2-pyridine)-3-(2-pyrrole)acetylacetone) was synthesized by the one-pot reaction of H2L with copper and iron sources. X-ray structural analysis reveals that the heptanuclear wheel cluster consists of a central Fe(III) ion surrounded by six Cu(II) ions, linked through methoxo- and hydroxo-bridges. Cryomagnetic studies indicate intramolecular antiferromagnetic interactions were operative.