A new linear trinuclear Cu(II) complex [Cu3L2(MeCN)2I2](MeCN)2 with semi-coordinated iodides formed through ligand sharing (H2L = 1,7-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2,6-diaza-4-hydroxyl-heptane)

Reaction of 1,7-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2,6-diaza-4-hydroxyl-heptane (H2L) with Cu(I) iodide in acetonitrile in air leads to the assembly of a trinuclear complex with the general formula [Cu3L2(MeCN)2I2](MeCN)2. The compound was characterised by X-ray crystallography, Ligand Field, IR and EPR spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility. The structure of the compound contains a linear trinuclear array of copper ions in tetragonal, square planar and tetragonal environments, respectively. The external Cu(II) ions are coordinated by two amine nitrogens, two phenolate oxygens, and weakly coordinated iodide and acetonitrile in the axial positions, while the central Cu ion is coordinated by four phenolate oxygens through ligand sharing. A strong antiferromagnetic interaction between the adjacent Cu(II) ions dominates the magnetic properties of the complex with J = −474 cm−1.