Bimetallic derivatives of the [M(en)₃]³⁺ ion (M=Cr and Co): A series of compounds with unusual magnetic and structural properties (abstract)

The crystal structure and magnetic susceptibility of a series of [M(en)3]3+ (M=Cr or Co) derivatives are described. In particular, the crystalline structures of (1) [Cr(en) 3]3[FeCl6]Cl6·H2O, (2) [Co(en)3]3[FeCl6]Cl6· H2O, and (3) [Cr(en)3][FeCl6]·11H 2O are reported. Structural data, in Å, for these compounds are as follows: (1) space group R3, a=15.447(4), c=21.060(6), Z=3; (2) space group R3, a=15.346(3), c=20.880(5), Z=3; (3) space group P3c1, a=11.654(3), c=15.508(4), Z=2. The main structural feature of the first two isomorphous materials is that they consist of a three-dimensional network of triangular antiprisms formed by the [M(en)3]3+ (M=Cr or Co) ions and connected with each other by sharing corners. An [FeCl 6]3- ion is placed at the center of each antiprism. Compound (3) contains a sc arrangement of [Cr(en)3] 3+ and [FeCl6]3- octahedra. In addition, the magnetic susceptibilities of the above-mentioned isomorphous compounds and of [M(en)3][FeCl6] (M=Cr and Co) and [Cr(en)3][InCl6] are reported. While [Cr(en) 3]3[FeCl6]Cl6·H2O orders as a ferrimagnet at 0.91 K, [Cr(en)3][FeCl6] exhibits antiferromagnetic properties with Tc=2.26 K, a temperature rather similar to the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature of [Co(en) 3][FeCl6].