Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of a CeIII –CuII Heterodinuclear Complex

Abstract

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of a heterodinuclear complex, LCu(Me2CO)Ce(NO3)O3 (L = (N,N’-propylene-bis(3-methoxysalicylideneimine)) are reported. (C19H22N2O4)Cu(C3H6O) Ce(NO3)3, monoclinic, space group P21/c, with a = 9.8295(4), b = 19.049(3), c = 15.668(3) Å , β = 94.873(12)◦, V = 2923.2(7) Å3, Z = 4. The central region of the complex is occupied by CuII and CeIII ions which are bridged by two phenolato oxygen atoms of the ligand. The copper ion adopts a square-based 4+1 coordination made, the equatorial N2O2 donors being afforded by the ligand while the axial position is occupied by an oxygen atom of the acetone molecule. The CeIII ion is deca-coordinated. In addition to the two phenolate oxygen atoms, the coordination sphere contains two oxygen atoms of the OMe side arms of L and six oxygen atoms from the three bidentate nitrate ions. The Ce···Cu separation is 3.601(2) Å and the dihedral angle between the CeO(2)Cu and CeO(3)Cu planes is 17.4(1)°. The magnetic susceptibility of the complex was measured over the range 5 - 350 K. The magnetic properties of the investigated compound are dominated by the crystal field effect on the CeIII site, masking the magnetic interaction between the paramagnetic centers.