Crystal and molecular structures of mixed-valence octanuclear cobalt(ii,iii) propionate and butyrate with an etagere-like core

Abstract

The new mixed-valence octanuclear cobalt carboxylate complexes [CoII4CoIII4(μ4-O)4-(μ3-OMe)4(μ-O2CR)6(O2CR)2(H2O)6]·4H2O, where R = Et (3) or n-Pr (4), were investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes 3 and 4 have a molecular octanuclear structure, and they are valence trapped, and contain four cobalt atoms Co3+ in the central cubane fragment with four cobalt atoms Co2+ at the periphery of the molecules. The molecules of the complexes are stabilized by four intramolecular hydrogen bonds and are linked, together with water solvent molecules, by intermolecular hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional supramolecular system.