Self-assembly and decay of Mn(II) pivalate-phosphonate complexes

A series of new manganese(II) pivalate-phosphonate complexes with various nuclearities (Mn-4, Mn-10, and Mn-20) under aerobic conditions was synthesized by self-assembly of simple reagents. The constitution of polynuclear architectures is affected by the reaction temperature. The structures of the complexes were determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. Magnetic behavior of the compounds points to dominant antiferromagnetic exchange interactions. Antiferromagnetic coupling with J(Mn-Mn) = -0.097(1) cm(-1), g(Mn) = 1.993(1) for an equilateral tetrahedron model simulates the magnetic behavior of the tetranuclear complex Mn-4 with a cube-like core.