Manganese–Chromium–Cyanide Clusters: Molecular MnCr6(CN)18 and Mn3Cr6(CN)18 Species and a Related MnCr3(CN)9 Chain Compound

As part of an ongoing effort to design new single-molecule magnets, we are exploring synthetic routes to high-nuclearity metal–cyanide clusters. Here, we report the results of solution assembly reactions between [(Me3tacn)Cr(CN)3] (Me3tacn= N,N′,N″-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) and selected manganese(II) salts. Reaction with the perchlorate salt in the presence of AClO4 (A=Na, K) gives A[(Me3tacn)6MnCr6(CN)18] (ClO4)3, featuring a heptanuclear cluster in which six [(Me3tacn)Cr(CN)3] units surround a central MnII ion. The Mn coordination geometry closely approaches a trigonal prism, with triangular faces twisted away from a fully eclipsed position by an angle of 12.8° and 11.3° for A=Na and K, respectively. The magnetic behavior of both compounds indicates weak antiferromagnetic coupling between neighboring MnII and CrIII centers (J=−3.0 and −3.1 cm−1, respectively) to give an S=132; ground state. Alternatively, addition of sodium tetraphenylborate to the reaction solution yields [(Me3tacn)6(H2O)6Mn3Cr6(CN)18] (BPh4)6·12H2O, in which attachment of two MnII ions to the preceding cluster generates a new species with two trigonal bipyramids sharing a common vertex. This compound displays magnetic behavior consistent with weak antiferromagnetic coupling and an S=32 ground state. Finally, a reaction employing manganese(II) triflate is found to produce the one-dimensional solid [(Me3tacn)3MnCr3(CN)9](CF3SO3)2, exhibiting a closely related chain structure, and, again, weak antiferromagnetic coupling.