Structural diversity and magnetic properties in 1D and 2D azido-bridged cobalt(II) complexes with 1,2-bis(2-pyridyl)ethylene

By utilizing a flexible co-ligand 1,2-bis(2-pyridyl)ethylene (2,2'-bpe), two new azido-bridged cobalt(II) complexes with the formulae [Co-3(N-3)(6)(OH2)(2)(2,2'-bpe)(2)](n)(2,2'-bpe)(n) (1) and [Co(N-3)(2)(2,2'-bpe)(2)](n) (2) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Compound 1 shows an uncommon 1D chain comprised of double EO azido bridged five-and six-coordinated Co-II geometries in a unique (-5-5-6-)(n) sequence of the coordination number. The 2,2'-bpe acts as a terminal co-ligand and an uncoordinated molecule in the crystal lattice. Moreover the adjacent 1D chain is assembled by C-H ... pi interactions and the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between uncoordinated 2,2'-bpe and coordinated water molecules building a 2D layer. Whereas, compound 2 is a 2D coordination network containing the alternating double EO and double EE bridging modes of azides and ditopic 2,2'-bpe bridges. The magnetic investigation of 1 reveals dominant intra-chain ferromagnetic interactions, with the double EO azide-bridge and weak inter-chain antiferromagnetic interactions, with overall metamagnetic behaviour, having magnetic ordering at 6 K. The magnetic behaviour of 2 shows spin-canted antiferromagnetism below a T-N of 12 K.