Unexpected magnetic topology in the heterobimetallic [ReIVBr4(μ-ox)CuII(bpy)2] compound

A novel oxalato-bridged rhenium(IV)-copper(II) compound, namely [ReIVBr4(μ-ox)CuII(bpy)2] (1), has been obtained by reacting (PPh4)2[ReBr4(ox)] with Cu(CF3SO3)2 and 2,2′-bpy in CH3CN, and its crystal structure determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Intermolecular Br⋯Br interactions and nonbonding Cu⋯Br type contacts between the heterobimetallic dinuclear units lead to a two-dimensional supramolecular structure. Compound 1 behaves magnetically as a [ReIVCuII]2 tetranuclear species with weak antiferromagnetic interactions through the oxalato bridge and intermolecular Br⋯Br contacts.