OJICOpen Journal of Inorganic Chemistry2161-7406Scientific Research Publishing10.4236/ojic.2021.113004OJIC-109845ArticlesChemistry&Materials Science Synthesis and Characterization of Two Cu(II) Nitronyl Nitroxide Complexes YoujuanZhang1CaiwenZhang2JingChen1*College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, ChinaCollege of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anyang Normal University, Anyang, China150620211103556222, March 202112, June 2021 15, June 2021© Copyright 2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. 2014This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Two new nitronyl nitroxide Cu(II) complexes {[Cu(hfac) 2] 2(NIT-4PyPh)} 2( 1) and [Cu(hfac) 2][(NIT-3PyPh) 2]( 2)(NIT-4PyPh=2-[4-(4-pyridinylmethoxy) phenyl]-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide,NIT-3PyPh=2-[4-(3-pyridinylmethoxy)phenyl]-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide,hfac=hexafluoroacetylacetone), have been synthesized and characterized. The X-ray crystal structure analyses show that structures of the two complexes are different. Complex 1 crystallizes in cyclic metal-radical dimer consisting of four Cu(hfac) 2 and two NIT-4PyPh ligands; four Cu(II) atoms adopt two coordinated modes. In the ring, each Cu(II) ion is hexa-coordinated by four oxygen atoms of two hfac ligands and one oxygen atom (ONCNO) and one nitrogen atom of the pyridinyl group from two different radicals. Outside the ring, each Cu(II) is penta-coordinated by four oxygen atoms of two hfac ligands and one oxygen atom (ONCNO) from the radical ligand. Complex 2 crystallizes in discrete molecule, while the Cu(II) atom is hexa-coordinated by four oxygen atoms of two hfac molecules and two nitrogen atoms of the pyridinyl group from two radical ligands.

Nitronyl Nitroxide Copper Complex Cyclic Metal-Radical Synthesis Characterization1. Introduction

Recently, the combination of metal ions and nitronyl nitroxides has proved to be particularly efficient for making molecular magnetic materials [1] [2]. Because they bear one or more unpaired electrons in their π-system arising from the overlap between 2p atomic orbitals, stable radicals have rapidly recognized as interesting building blocks for molecule-based magnetic materials. Nitronyl nitroxide (2-(R)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-1-oxy-3-oxide, NITR) radicals, as excellent spin carriers have played an important role in the design and synthesis of molecular magnetic materials due to their good stability under ambient conditions and easy to modify [3]. Up to now, more and more attention has been paid to design functional radicals to get complexes possessing various kinds of topological structures [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]. However, the N-O groups of nitronyl nitroxide radicals have poor ability to coordinate, thus they only ligate to metal centers with electron with-drawing groups such as hexafluoroacetylacetonate (hfac) and pentafluoropropionic acid (pfpr). Copper(II) complexes are ease to show various kinds of topological structures and are as an unique objects (s = 1/2) for studying the peculiarities of magnetic exchange pathways between different types of paramagnetic centers, so the syntheses of copper (II)-NITR complexes draw more attentions [4] [9] [10]. Following the research approach, we carried on the syntheses of new functional organic-radical, and prepared Cu-radical complexes. In this paper, two new nitronyl nitroxide Cu(II) complexes {[Cu(hfac)2]2(NIT-4PyPh)}2(1) and [Cu(hfac)2(NIT-3PyPh)2](2) (hfac=hexafluoroacetylacetone) were synthesized and characterized.

2. Experimental2.1. Materials and Measurements

All chemicals and solvents used for the syntheses were of reagent grade and were used without further purification. The radical ligands [11] [12] and Cu(hfac)2∙H2O have been performed according to the literature methods. All reactions were conducted in aerobic conditions. Elemental analyses for carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen were carried out on a Model 240 Perkin-Elmer elemental analyzer. Infrared spectra were taken on a Bruker Tensor 27 Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the region 4000 - 400 cm−1, using KBr pellets. Ultraviolet-visible spectra were recorded on a Cary 50 UV-Vis spectrophotometer in stated solvent.

2.2. Synthesis of {[Cu(hfac)<sub>2</sub>]<sub>2</sub>(NIT-4PyPh)}<sub>2</sub>(1)

Cu(hfac)2·2H2O (0.01 mmol) was refluxed at 85˚C for 30 minutes in 20 mL n-heptane. Then the reactant was cooled to 60˚C, 6 mL of dichloromethane solution containing 0.01 mmol 4-pyridinephenyl nitroxide radical (NIT-4PyPh) was added, and stirring was continued for 15 minutes. Then, it was cooled to the room temperature, and filtered. One week later, block deep-blue crystals suitable for single crystal diffraction had been obtained. Anal. Calcd. (%) for C78H52Cu4F48N6O22(2591.46): C, 36.15; N, 3.24; H, 2.02; Found: C, 36.33; N, 3.12; H, 1.91%. FTIR (KBr, cm−1): 1644 (s), 1524 (s), 1499 (m), 1465 (m), 1363 (m), 1255 (s), 1198 (s), 1138 (s), 795 (m), 586 (m). UV-Vis (nm): 294 and 395 nm.

2.3. Synthesis of {[Cu(hfac)<sub>2</sub>](NIT-3PyPh)<sub>2</sub>}(2)

Cu(hfac)2·2H2O (0.01 mmol) was refluxed at 85˚C for 30 minutes in 15 mL n-heptane. Then the reactant was cooled to 70˚C, 5 mL of dichloromethane solution containing 0.02 mmoL 3-pyridinephenyl nitroxide radical (NIT-3PyPh) was added, and stirring was continued for 30 min. Then, it was cooled to the room temperature, and filtered. A few days later, Flake blue crystals suitable for single crystal diffraction had been obtained. Anal. Calcd. (%) for C48H46CuF12N6O10(1158.46): C, 49.76; H, 4.00; N, 7.25; Found: C, 49.87; H, 3.75; N, 7.14%. FTIR (KBr, cm−1): 1653 (m), 1550 (s), 1364 (m), 1253 (s), 1188 (s), 795 (m), 668 (m). UV-Vis (nm): 283, 363 and 606 nm.

2.4. X-Ray Crystallography

The diffraction data were collected at 150 K with Mo-Kα (λ = 0.71073 Å) radiation using a Bruker CCD APEX-Ⅱ diffractometer. The structures were solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares methods on F2 by using the SHELXL-97 program package [13]. Empirical absorption corrections from φ and ω scan were applied. All non-hydrogen atoms were refined anisotropically, and all hydrogen atoms were added theoretically. Crystal parameters, data collection procedure, and refinement results for complexes 1-2 are summarized in detail in Table 1. Selected bond lengths and angles for the two complexes are listed in Table 2.

Crystallographic data and structure refinement details for 1-2
Complex{[Cu(hfac)2]2(NIT-4PyPh)}2(1)[Cu(hfac)2(NIT-3PyPh)2](2)
Empirical formulaC78H52Cu4F48N6O22C48H46CuF12N6O10
Temperature/K150150
Formula weight2591.461158.46
Crystal systemTriclinicMonoclinic
Space groupP-1P21/n
Unit cell dimensions
a/Å11.0090(4)6.4620(2)
b/Å12.2619(5)11.6521(3)
c/Å18.6132(7)33.2897(9)
α/˚86.910(1)90
β/˚75.598(1)93.848(1)
γ/˚85.050(1)90
Volume/Å32423.21(16)2500.93(12)
Z12
Calculated density (Mg/m3)1.7761.538
Absorption coeffificient (mm−1)1.0300.546
F (000)1286.01186.0
Crystal size (mm3)0.12 × 0.11 × 0.090.21 × 0.12 × 0.09
θ range for data collection (˚)2.26 - 28.322.14 - 28.32
Limiting indices−14 ≤ h ≤ 14, −16 ≤ k ≤ 16, −24 ≤ l ≤ 24−8 h ≤ h ≤ 8, −15 ≤ k ≤ 15, −44 ≤ l ≤ 39
Reflflections collected/unique48,453/12,04720,312/6222
R (int)0.06580.0434
Data/restraints/parameters12,047/0/7126222/0/349
Final R indices [I > 2σ (I)]R1 = 0.0679, wR2 = 0.1547R1 = 0.0437, wR2 = 0.1010
R indices (all data)R1 = 0.1163, wR2 = 0.1840R1 = 0.0652, wR2 = 0.1146
Largest diff. peak and hole1.857 and −0.995 e.A−30.558 and −0.457 e.A−3
 Crystallographic data and structure refinement details for 1-2
Complex 1 {[Cu(hfac)2]2(NIT-4PyPh)}2
BondLength(Å)BondAngle(˚)
Cu1-O71.931(3)O7-Cu1-O4164.41(1)
Cu1-O41.933(3)O7-Cu1-O293.04(1)
Cu1-O21.941(3)O4-Cu1-O283.31(1)
Cu1-O51.978(3)O7-Cu1-O589.96(1)
Cu1-O62.200(3)O4-Cu1-O591.86(1)
Cu2-O91.939(3)O2-Cu1-O5172.09(1)
Cu2-O32.588(4)O7-Cu1-O690.31(1)
Cu2-O111.948(3)O4-Cu1-O6105.19(1)
Cu2-O101.970(3)O2-Cu1-O698.18(1)
Cu2-N11.999(4)O5-Cu1-O689.12(1)
Cu2-O82.210(3)O3-Cu2-O8175.21(4)
O7-C271.277(5)O9-Cu2-O11175.15(2)
O5-C221.252(6)O9-Cu2-O1087.99(2)
O2-N21.302(4)O11-Cu2-O1090.77(2)
O4-C201.242(5)O9-Cu2-N192.55(2)
N3-O31.263(5)O11-Cu2-N187.85(2)
N3-C131.356(5)O10-Cu2-N1170.00(2)
N3-C151.501(5)O9-Cu2-O890.72(1)
O6-C251.230(5)O11-Cu2-O894.04(1)
N2-C131.333(5)O10-Cu2-O894.17(1)
N2-C141.492(6)N1-Cu2-O895.80(2)
O11-C371.241(6)N3-O3-Cu2 161.69(3)
O9-C321.267(6)N2-O2-Cu1119.45(8)
O10-C351.271(6)C13-N3-C15112.8(3)
O1-C71.356(5)O2-N2-C13125.4(4)
O1-C61.414(6)O2-N2-C14120.1(3)
N1-C11.336(6)C13-N2-C14113.8(3)
N1-C51.338(6)C7-O1-C6121.2(4)
O8-C301.227(6)N2-C13-N3107.1(4)
Complex 2 [Cu(hfac)2(NIT-3PyPh)2]
BondLength(Å)BondAngle(˚)
Cu1-O41.9733(14)O4-Cu1-N1#89.71(6)
Cu1-N12.0589(17)O4-Cu1-N190.30(6)
Cu1-O52.2802(15)O4#-Cu1-N190.29(6)
N1-C31.344(3)O4#-Cu1-N1#89.70(6)
N1-C21.346(3)N1-Cu1-N1#180.00(9)
N3-O21.273(2)O4-Cu1-O587.17(6)
N3-C131.353(3)N1-Cu1-O5#87.96(6)
N3-C151.495(3)N1-Cu1-O592.04(6)
O3-C71.363(3)O5-Cu1-O5#180.00(7)
O3-C61.432(3)C3-N1-C2117.09(2)
O1-N21.278(2)O2-N3-C13126.9(2)
N2-C131.356(3)O2-N3-C15121.36(2)
N2-C141.504(3)C13-N3-C15111.67(2)
C22-O51.233(2)C7-O3-C6118.47(2)
3. Results and Discussion3.1. Crystal Structure3.1.1. The Complex {[Cu(hfac)<sub>2</sub>]<sub>2</sub>(NIT-4PyPh)}<sub>2</sub>(1)

The perspective view of the molecular structure of the complex 1 is illustrated in Figure 1. The important bond lengths and angles are displayed in Table 2. Single-crystal X-ray analysis reveals that the molecular structure of the complex {[Cu(hfac)2]2[(NIT-4PyPh)]}2(1) crystallizes in the Triclinic space group P-1 and is central symmetric. Two NIT-4PyPh radical ligands are coordinated to four Cu(II) ions through the oxygen atoms of the nitronyl nitroxide groups and the nitrogen atoms of the pyridine rings in cis-configuration to form a six-spin cyclic complex. Every NIT-4PyPh ligand serves as a bridge to connect two Cu(II) centers via its one nitroxide and one pyridine ring to form centro-symmetric dimeric cycle [Cu-(NIT-4PyPh)]2. Each NIT-4PyPh radical links three different copper(II) ions through the oxygen of nitroxide group and the pyridyl nitrogen to form the cyclic six spin unit. In the unit, four Cu(II) atoms adopt two coordinated modes. In the ring, each Cu(II) ion is hexa-coordinated by four oxygen atoms of two hfac ligands and by one oxygen atom and one nitrogen atom of the pyridinyl group from two different radicals. Outside the ring, each Cu(II) is penta-coordinated by four oxygen atoms of two hfac ligands and by one oxygen atom from the radical.

In the ring, the Cu(II) ion is hexa-coordinated; the Cu-N and Cu-O(nitroxide group) bond lengths are 1.999(4) and 2.588(4) Å, respectively. The bond lengths of the Cu-O(hfac) are in the range of 1.939(3) - 2.210(3) Å and the Cu-O-N angles are 161.69(3), which are comparable to those of reported Cu(hfac)2 complexes with nitronyl nitroxides [14]. Outside the ring, the Cu(II) ion is penta-coordinated; the Cu-O(nitroxide group) bond lengths are 1.941(3) Å. The bond lengths of the Cu-O(hfac) are in the range of 1.931(3) - 2.200(3) Å. The Cu-O-N angles are 119.45(8). In the six-spin cyclic complex unit, the radical ligand should be considered as a tridentate ligands, while two oxygen atom (nitroxide group) and nitrogen atom (pyridine ring) of the same NIT-4-PyPh radical ligand directly coordinated with three different Cu(II) ions. The benzene ring of nitronyl nitroxide has a dihedral angle of 33.1˚ with the ONCNO five member ring. The pyridine ring of nitronyl nitroxide has a dihedral angle of 81.3˚ with the average plane consisting of equatorial oxygen atoms of the hfac ligands and the Cu2 atom. The dihedral angle is 43.1˚ between the ONCNO five member and the average plane consisting of equatorial oxygen atoms of the hfac ligands bonding with the Cu1 atom. It is noticed that weak coordination bonds are formed between the Cu2 of Cu(hfac)2 and the O3 atoms of nitronyl nitroxide with the oxygen atoms occupying the apical positions. The weak Cu2-O3 bond length is 2.588(4) Å, and the bond angle of N3-O3-Cu2 is 161(7). Here, we could consider ONCNO as a bidentate bridged two different Cu(hfac)2 units.

3.1.2. The Complex [Cu(hfac)<sub>2</sub>(NIT-3PyPh)<sub>2</sub>](2)

A view of the molecular structure of complex 2 is shown in Figure 2. The important bond lengths and angles are displayed in Table 2. Single-crystal X-ray analysis reveals that complex 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n. The NIT-3PyPh ligand constructed based on the “head to head” motif. The coordination unit of complex 2 is CuN2O4, Cu (II) ion exhibited as octahedron

configuration. Cu(II) center is defined by two nitrogen atoms and four oxygen atoms coming from pyridine rings of radicals and β-diketonate coligands, respectively. The equatorial Cu-Ohfac bond lengths are 1.973(3) - 2.280(2) Å. The apical sites are filled with two N atoms of two radical ligands, and Cu-N bond distance is 2.058(9) Å. The nitronyl groups on the two radicals are uncoordinated.

4. Conclusion

Two new Cu-Radial complexes have been synthesized, and characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction, elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and Uv-Vis spectroscopy. The analysis results indicated that complex 1 display an interesting cyclic dimers, whereas, the complex 2 exhibit a discrete molecule and two N atoms (-pyridyl group) of two radical ligands. The magnetic properties of the two complexes 1-2 are under researching.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Cite this paper

Zhang, Y.J., Zhang, C.W. and Chen, J. (2021) Synthesis and Characterization of Two Cu(II) Nitronyl Nitroxide Complexes. Open Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 11, 55-62. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojic.2021.113004

ReferencesRatera, I. and Vecian, J. (2012) Playing with Organic Radicals as Building Blocks for Functional Molecular Materials. Chemical Society Reviews, 41, 303-349.https://doi.org/10.1039/C1CS15165GMeng, X.X., Shi, W. and Cheng, P. (2019) Magnetism in One-Dimensional Metal-Nitronyl Nitroxide Radical System. Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 378, 134-150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2018.02.002Train, C., Norel, L. and Baumgarten, M. (2009) Organic Radicals, a Promising Route towards Original Molecule-Based Magnetic Materials. Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 253, 2342-2351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2008.10.004Sherstobitova, T., Maryunina, K., Tolstikov, S., Letyagin, G., Romanenko, G., Nishihara, S. and Inoue, K. (2019) Ligand Structure Effects on Molecular Assembly and Magnetic Properties of Copper(II) Complexes with 3-Pyridyl-Substituted Nitronyl Nitroxide Derivatives. ACS Omega, 4, 17160-17170.https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.9b01575Shi, J.Y., Ma, Z.L., Wang, M.C. and Tian, L. (2021) A Family of 2p-3d Complexes Based on 4,5-Dimethyltriazole Nitronyl Nitroxide Radical: Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetic Properties. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 516, 120-122.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2020.120122Sun, J., Wang, K., Jing, P., Lu, J. and Li, L.C. (2019) 2p-3d-4f Heterotrispin Chains and Ring-Chains Bridged by a Nitronyl Nitroxide Ligand: Structure and Magnetic Properties. Crystal Growth & Design, 19, 3576-3583.https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.cgd.9b00489Li, C., Li, H.D., Xie, J., Yang, M., Wang, X.F. and Li, L.C. (2018) {[Ln(hfac)3]2[Cu(hfac)2]3(NIT-Pyrim)2(H2O)2} (LnIII= Gd, Ho, Er): Unique Nitronyl Nitroxide Bridged 3d-4f Heterometallic Clusters. Chemistry Europe, 2018, 525-530.https://doi.org/10.1002/ejic.201700576Calancea, S., Carrella, L., Mocanu, T., Sadohin, V., Raduca, M., Gutu, L., Rocha, J.C., Vaz, M.G.F., Rentschler, E. and Andruh, M. (2021) Magnetic Molecular Rectangles Constructed from Functionalized Nitronyl-Nitroxide Ligands and Lanthanide(III) Ions. Chemistry Europe, 2021, 567-577.https://doi.org/10.1002/ejic.202000954Gao, Y.L. and Inoue, K. (2020) Synthesis, Crystal Structures and Magnetic Properties of Nitronyl Nitroxide Radical-Coordinated Copper(II) Complexes. Transition Metal Chemistry, 45, 195-201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11243-019-00370-yYang, M., Xie, S.F., Liang, X.H., Zhang, Y.D. and Dong, W. (2019) A Novel Nitronyl Nitroxide and Its Copper Complexes: Synthesis, Structures and Magnetic Properties. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 486,589-593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2018.10.031Zhu, M., Yang, M., Wang, J.J., Li, H.D. and Li, L.C. (2016) Structural and Magnetic Properties of 2p-3d-4f Hetero-Tri-Spin Chains Comprising [{Cu(hfac)2-Radical}2] Dimers and Ln(hfac)3 (hfac=hexafluoroacetylacetonate). Chemistry: An Asian Journal, 11, 1900-1905. https://doi.org/10.1002/asia.201600383Ullman, E.F., Call, L. and Osiecki, J.H. (1970) Stable Free Radicals. VIII. New Imino, Amidino, and Carbamoyl Nitroxides. The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 35, 3623-3631. https://doi.org/10.1021/jo00836a008Sheldrick, G.M. (1997) SHELXS-97, Program for Crystal Structure Solution. University of G&#246;ttingen, Germany.Wang, X.F., Hu, P., Li, L.C. and Sutter, J.P. (2015) [(Cu-Radical)2 Ln]: Structure and Magnetic Properties of a Hetero-Trispin Chain of Rings (Ln = YIII, GdIII, TbIII, DyIII). Inorganic Chemistry, 54, 9664-9669. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5b01761