SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURAL AND MAGNETIC STUDIES OF IMIDAZOLIUM BIS(OXALATO)CUPRATE(II)

Imidazolium bis(oxalato)cuprate(II) has been synthesized and its structure determined by X-ray crystallography. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements, as well as EPR and UV-vis spectroscopic studies, have been carried out. The results show that in the solid state the compound exists in a chain-like structure, with an asymmetric one-atom weak oxalate bridge joining adjacent Cu-II centres. Of the two oxygen atoms of each coordinated oxalate, only one participates in bridging; thus, each oxalate ultimately achieves three-point coordination Each of the imidazolium ions participates in two hydrogen bonds through the two N-H moieties. The compound exhibits a weak antiferromagnetic interaction (J = -0.40 cm(-1)). EPR spectra reveal that the triplet state is appreciably populated at both room and liquid nitrogen temperatures.