Alternating [ML₂(MeOH)₂] and [ML₂(EtOH)₂] layers in low-temperature ferromagnets [ML₂(MeOH)₂] [ML₂(EtOH)₂] (M = Co^II, Ni^II or Co_0.5^IINi_0.5^II)

Bimolecular complexes [ML2(MeOH)(2)][ML2(EtOH)(2)], where M is Co-II, Ni-II or (Co0.5Ni0.5II)-Ni-II and L is a deprotonated enaminoketone 4-(3 ',3,3 '-trifluoro-2 '-oxopropylidene)-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-imidazolidin-1-oxyl, were found to be isolated in the solid phase from a solution containing MeOH and EtOH in the ratio 1:10. Their solids have a layered-polymer structure due to hydrogen bonds between the OH-groups of the coordinated ROH molecules and nitroxide groups of the neighboring [ML2(ROH)(2)] molecules. The peculiar crystal structures of [ML2(MeOH)(2)][ML2(EtOH)(2)] have ordered alternation of methanol- and ethanol-containing supramolecular layers. Detailed crystallochemical analysis showed that during the formation of [ML2(MeOH)(2)][ML2(EtOH)(2)] crystals, the MeOH containing layer is significantly deformed in comparison with the [ML2(MeOH)(2)] structure. This indicates that the ethanol-containing layer determines the crystal formation, while the {ML2(MeOH)(2)} layer "adjusts" to it. Magnetochemical study of the bimolecular complexes [ML2(MeOH)(2)][ML2(EtOH)(2)] revealed magnetic ordering at low temperatures.