An unusual two-dimensional 2-fold interpenetrating metal-organic framework based on tetranuclear manganese(II) clusters: Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties

A novel coordination polymer, [Mn2(DBA)2(bix)0.5] (1) (H2DBA = 4,4′-methylenedibenzoic acid, bix = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene), has been synthesized under hydrothermal condition, and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray single-crystal structural analyses reveal that complex 1 exhibits a two-dimensional 2-fold interpenetrating (4,4) frameworks based on tetranuclear [Mn4(CO2)8] secondary building units, and further assembled into a three-dimensional supramolecular structure via π-π stacking interaction. Moreover, variable–temperature magnetic susceptibility studies indicate weak antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the magnetic centers.