Two cubane-like [M 4 O 4 ] {M = nickel(II), cobalt(II)} complexes: syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties

Two cubane-like complexes, namely [Ni 4 L 4 (HOEt) 4 ] ( 1 ), [Co 4 L 4 (HOEt) 4 ] ( 2 ) (H 2 L = (E)-2-((3-hydroxypropylimino)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol), were prepared under solvothermal conditions. Structural analyses show that complexes 1 – 2 are tetranuclear complexes with a cubane topology in which four M atoms and four µ 3 -O atoms occupy the alternate vertices of the cubane. The magnetic properties of them have been investigated. Antiferromagnetic interactions were observed for complexes 1 and 2 .