Synthesis, crystal structure and metamagnetic properties of a two-dimensional honeycomb network based on ferricyanide and (3,10-dimethyl-1,3,5,8,10,12-hexaazacyclotetradecane)nickel(II) building blocks

The 2-D bimetallic complex [NiL](3)[Fe(CN)(6)](2). 9H(2)O (L represents 3,10-dimethyl-1,3,5,8,10,12-hexaazacyclotetradecane) has been prepared and its structure and magnetic properties studied. The structure consists of cyano-bridged neutral Ni3Fe2 units. Each hexacyanoferrate(III) ion connects three nickel(II) ions using three cis CN- groups and the remaining CN- groups are terminal. The bridging cyanide ligands co-ordinate to the nickel ion in a trans fashion forming trans-NiL(N=C)(2) moieties. The nine water molecules are situated between the 2-D layer and hydrogen bonded to the terminal CN- ligands. Magnetic studies show that the complex displays a metamagnetic behaviour originating from intralayer ferromagnetic coupling and interlayer antiferromagnetic interaction. A long-range magnetic ordering over the lattice at T-c=5K is also observed.