Cocrystallized Dinuclear-Mononuclear Cu3IINaI and Double-Decker-Triple-Decker Cu5IIK3I Complexes Derived from N,N′-Ethylenebis(3-ethoxysalicylaldimine)

The syntheses and structures of a [2x1+1x2] cocrystal [{(CuLNaI)-L-II-Na-I(H2O)(2)} {(CuL1)-L-II}(2)(NO3) (1) and [3x1+5x1] cocrystal [{((CuL1)-L-II)(2)K-I}(NO3)]center dot[{((CuL1)-L-II)(3)K-2(I)(mu-NO3)}(NO3)]center dot 0.2H(2)O (2) derived from the hexadentate Schiff base compartmental ligand N,N'-ethylenebis(3-ethoxysalicylaldimine) (H2L1) are described. Compounds 1 and 2 crystallize in triclillic P (1) over bar and monoclinic P2(1)/c systems, respectively. The structure of 1 consists of the [(CuLNaI)-L-II-Na-1(H2O)(3)](+) cation and two mononuclear [(CuL1)-L-II] moieties. In the dinuclear [(CuLNaI)-L-II-Na-1(H2O)(3)](+) cation, the metal centers are doubly bridged by the two phenolate oxygen atoms. Each of the two coordinated water molecules of the dinuclear unit is encapsulated in the O-4 cavities of the two mononuclear [(CuL1)-L-II] moieties resulting in the formation of a [2x1+1x2] cocrystal. In compound 2, one trinuclear double-decker system [{((CuL1)-L-II)(2)K-I(NO3)] and one pentanuclear triple-decker system [{((CuL1)-L-II)(3)K-2(I)(mu-NO3)}(NO3)] are cocrystallized. Evidently, compound 2 is a [3x1+5x1] cocrystal. Structural resemblance of 3d metal ions with Na(I) and a rare example of double-decker-triple-decker cocrystal are the major outcomes of the present investigation.