Synthesis, structure and properties of supramolecular MnII, CoII, NiII and ZnII complexes containing Salen-type bisoxime ligands

Four supramolecular complexes [MnL1(H2O)(2)] (1), {[CoL2(OAc)(H2O)](2)Co}center dot 5CH(3)CH(2)OH (2), {[NiL3(OAc)-(CH3OH)](2)Ni}center dot 2CH(3)COCH(3)center dot 2CH(3)OH (3) and {[ZnL2(OAc)](2)Zn}center dot CHCl3 (4), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV-Vis spectra and X-ray diffraction techniques. All the complexes have the trinuclear configuration except for Mn-II complex being mononuclear configuration. Every trinuclear complex contains two acetate ions coordinate to the three metal ions via a familiar M-O-C-O-M (M = Co, Ni, Zn) coordinated mode. Although complexes 1 and 3 display 1D supramolecular chains, the different coordination environments (mononuclear in 1, trinuclear in 3) provoke divergence in the structures and aggregations of the chain subunits. Complex 2 forms a 3D hydrogen-bonding supramolecular networks possessing a channel composing of six O-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds, while complex 4 exhibits a 2D hydrogen-bonding supramolecular networks with the formation of "grottos" occupied by chloroform molecules through intermolecular hydrogen-bond interactions. The spectral properties of the title complexes have been further discussed in detail. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.