Complete and ‘incomplete’ [2 × 2] grids by self-assembly with a sterically hindered ditopic imidazole hydrazone ligand—structural and magnetic studies

A ditopic hydrazone ligand (ioap) synthesized from the condensation of 4-methyl-5-imidazole carboxylic acid hydrazide with the iminoester of 2-pyridinecarbonitrile formed targeted [2 x 2] M(4)L(4) (M = Cu(II), Ni(II); L = ioap) grids, and a mixed oxidation state dinuclear cobalt complex. An 'incomplete' trinuclear M(3)L(4) (M = Mn(II)) grid, based on a [2 x 2] grid architecture, resulting from steric congestion of the imidazole methyl-substituent, was also produced. These results lead to the suggestion of one possible route to the self-assembly pathway of the [2 x 2] grids. The Mn(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes have hydrazone oxygen bridges between metal centres, which lead to antiferromagnetic exchange in the Mn(II)(3) and Ni(II)(4) cases, but, due to the presence of orthogonal bridging connections, to ferromagnetic exchange for the Cu(II)(4) example. Structural and magnetic properties are discussed based on the bridging connections.