Structure and magnetism of a linear tetranuclear nickel complex ligated by compartmental ligand

A new nickel(II) complex [Ni4L3(acac)2(H2O)2]·2DMF·Et2O (1) (acac = acetylacetonate, and DMF = N,N′-dimethylformamide) was isolated in solid crystalline form with the reaction of nickel(II) acetylacetonate and compartmental Schiff base ligand 1,2-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene) hydrazine (H2L). Single crystal X-ray analysis showed that the complex has a linear tetranuclear structure. In the complex, an unusual μ3– and μ4–bridging modes of Ligand L2- were coexisting. Variable-temperature magnetic studies revealed that weak antiferromagnetic interaction exists between the nickel(II) ions coupling through phenoxide−O atoms and −N−N− bridging moieties. Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2025, 39(4), 781-789. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v39i4.13