Cobalt and zinc halide complexes of 4-chloro and 4-methylaniline: syntheses, structures and magnetic behavior

Abstract A family of cobalt(II) and zinc(II) compounds with the general formula (4-subC 6 H 4 NH 2 ) 2 MX 2 , (M = Co, Zn; X = Cl, Br; sub = CH 3 , Cl) has been prepared and the compounds characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The eight compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group I 2/a and are isocoordinate, but show different crystal packing for the 4-methyl and 4-chloroaniline complexes as a result of halogen bonding in the 4-chloroaniline family. The cobalt complexes have also been studied via variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. All four Co(II) compounds exhibit antiferromagnetic exchange (maxima in χ are observed) and have been fitted with a 1D-chain model (cobalt chloride complexes, J  ∼ −3 K) or a 2D-model (cobalt bromide complexes, J  ∼ −4 K). Analysis of potential superexchange pathways is provided.