Na/Cu II /Cu I Complexes of Compartmental Schiff Base Ligands Incorporating the [Cu(NCO) 2 ] − Ion

Two new Na I /Cu I,II polynuclear compounds [(NaCu 3 (( R,R )‐3‐MeOSalcy) 2 (NCO) 2 ]( 1 ) and [(NaCu 2 (3‐MeOSalpn)(NCO) 2 ] ( 2 ) have been synthesized using the Schiff base (SB) ligands, ( R , R )‐3‐MeOSalcy=( R , R )– N,N′ ‐bis(3‐methoxysalicylidene)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane and 3‐MeOSalpn= N,N′ ‐bis(3‐methoxysalicylidene)‐1,3‐diaminopropane, respectively. Both complexes contain the rarely observed linear [Cu(NCO) 2 ] − ion which links [{Cu II (SB)} 2 Na] + ions in 1 or [{Cu II (SB)Na} 2 ] 2+ ions in 2 producing different linear chain topologies. The mixed valent Cu I/II Na network in compound 1 allows for greater magnetic isolation of the paramagnetic ions as compared to compound 2 , leading to differences in their EPR spectra.