Preparation, characterization and X-ray structure of {[(3,2,3-tet)Ni(μ-CO3)Ni(3,2,3-tet)][(3,2,3-tet)Cu]}(ClO4)4: a heteronuclear trimetallic complex containing hydrogen bonds

A heteronuclear trimetallic complex {[(3,2,3-tet)Ni(μ-CO3)Ni(3,2,3-tet)][(3,2,3-tet)Cu]}4+ (3,2,3-tet=N,N′-bis(3-aminopropyl)ethylenediamine) has been prepared by the reaction of Ni(II), 3,2,3-tet, Na2CO3 and Cu(3,2,3-tet)(ClO4)2 in situ. The complex is composed of two units, [(3,2,3-tet)Ni(μ-CO3)Ni(3,2,3-tet)]2+ and [Cu(3,2,3-tet)]2+, which are linked by hydrogen bonding. The carbonate ion in the former unit acts as a bis-μ-bidentate ligand and adopts cis arrangement, and the resulting dinuclear complex has cis-β configuration for both Ni(II) ions.