Dicubane-like Tetrameric Cobalt(II)−Pseudohalide Ferromagnetic Clusters

Three tetrameric cobalt(II)−pseudohalide complexes have been structurally and magnetically characterized.
Compounds 1 and 2 are isomorphous and exhibit the general formula [Co2(dpk·OH)(dpk·CH3O)(L)(H2O)]2A2·4H2O where dpk = di-2-pyridyl ketone, L = N3- and A = BF4- for 1, and L = NCO- and A = ClO4- for 2.
The ligands dpk·OH- and dpk·CH3O- result from solvolysis and ulterior deprotonation of dpk in water and
methanol, respectively. Both compounds exhibit cationic tetramers consisting of a dicubane-like core with two
missing vertexes where the Co(II) ions are connected through end-on pseudohalide and oxo-bridges. A similar
tetranuclear core has been found for 3 whose formula is [Co2(dpk·OH)(dpk·CH3O)(NCO)2]2. In this case, the
tetramers are neutral and exhibit a terminal cyanate in place of the coordinated molecule of water for 1 and 2.
The tetrameric units for 2 and 3 represent the first examples of any kind of cubanes exhibiting cyanate bridges
as well as the first Co(II) compounds exhibiting intermetallic bridges through these pseudohalide groups.
Measurements of the magnetic susceptibility indicated the presence of ferromagnetic CoII−CoII interactions in
the three compounds.