Solvothermal synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic behavior of a Schiff base heterometallic cluster

The reaction of Ni(ClO4)2·6H2O with a dilithium 2-[(2-hydroxy-3-ethoxy-enzylidene)-amino]-ethane sulfonic acid (Li2L) in a acetonitrile solution under solvothermal conditions leads to the formation of heterometallic tetranuclear cubane cluster [Ni3Li(L)3(OH)(CH3CN)3]·0.5CH3CN (1, where Li2L = dilithium 2-[(2-hydroxy-3-ethoxy-benzylidene)-amino]-ethanesulfonate). Complex 1 displays dominant ferromagnetic interactions through μ3-O (oxidophenyl and hydroxyl) binding modes.