Spiral Dinuclear Complexes of Tetradentate N(4) Diazine Ligands with Mn(II), Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(III), and Ni(II) Salts.

A series of dinuclear complexes of the tetradentate dipyridyl-diazine ligand PAHAP with Mn(II), Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(III), and Ni(II) salts is reported in which three ligands wrap themselves around the six-coordinate metal centers in a rare spiral-like fashion. A similar Fe(II) complex is found for the dipyrazinyl-diazine ligand PZHPZ. The ligands are severely twisted with dihedral angles between the metal chelate ring mean planes on each ligand in the range 50-70 degrees, values close to the expected twist angle for orthogonality between the bridging nitrogen atom p orbitals. Full structures are reported for the dinuclear complexes [Mn(2)(PAHAP)(3)](ClO(4))(4).5H(2)O (1), [Fe(2)(PAHAP)(3)](NO(3))(4).3H(2)O (2), [Fe(2)(PZHPZ)(3)](NO(3))(4).5H(2)O (5), [Co(2)(PAHAP)(3)](NO(3))(6).5H(2)O (6), and [Ni(2)(PAHAP)(3)][Ni(H(2)O)(6)](NO(3))(6).4.5H(2)O (7). Other derivatives [Fe(2)(PAHAP)(3)](ClO(4))(4).4H(2)O (3), [Fe(2)(PAHAP)(3)](ClO(4))(6).4.5H(2)O (4), [Ni(2)(PAHAP)(3)](ClO(4))(4).5H(2)O (8), and [Fe(PHAAP-H)(H(2)O)(2)(NO(3))](NO(3))(2) (9) are also reported. Complex 1 crystallized in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, with a = 13.4086(2) Å, b = 32.0249(1) Å, c = 14.3132(2) Å, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 115.635(1) degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, and Z = 4. Complex 2 crystallized in the cubic system, space group Pa&thremacr;, with a = b = c = 21.0024(1) Å, alpha = beta = gamma = 90 degrees, and Z = 8. Complex 5 crystallized in the monoclinic system, space group P2/n, with a = 14.039(3) Å, b = 11.335(6) Å, c = 14.6517(15) Å, beta = 96.852(11) degrees, and Z = 1. Complex 6 crystallized in the trigonal system, space group R&thremacr;c(h), with a = b = 17.386(2) Å, c = 32.15(2) Å, alpha = beta = 90 degrees, gamma = 120 degrees, and Z = 4. Complex 7 crystallized in the trigonal system, space group R&thremacr;c, with a = b = 17.3737(3) Å, c = 33.235(6) Å, alpha = beta = 90 degrees, gamma = 120 degrees, and Z = 27. Weak ferromagnetic coupling was observed for 1 (2J = 2.1 cm(-)(1)), and no coupling was observed for the dinuclear Ni(II) centers in 7 and 8. 2, 3, and 5 are low-spin Fe(II) systems.