Synthesis, crystal structure, magnetism and electrochemical properties of two copper(II) furoyltrifluoroacetonate complexes with nitroxide radical

Two new magnetic copper compounds were obtained using the 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-furoylbutane-1,3-dione (Ftfac) ligand and two nitroxide radicals: 3-pyridyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (NITmPy) and 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-N-oxy (Tempol). The complexes with formula [Cu(Ftfac)2(NITmPy)2] (1) and [Cu(Ftfac)2(Tempol)] (2) were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In compound 1, the copper ion has a distorted octahedral environment, bound to two NITmpPy ligands through the nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring. In compound 2, the copper ion has a distorted pyramidal environment in which the apical position is occupied by the oxygen atom of the Tempol hydroxyl group. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility of the two compounds was investigated. It was found that compound 1 presents ferromagnetic interaction (J = 9.1 cm−1) among copper(II) ions and NITmPy radicals. As a result of the interconnection between molecular moieties through H-bonds, compound 2 presents an unusual magnetic behavior with alternating ferro- and antiferromagnetic interactions.