Synthesis, structures of cobalt/copper complexes and magnetic property of copper complex with the mixed ligands 5-nitro-1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid and imidazole

Two one-dimensional cobalt (II) and copper (II) complexes, [Co(5-nbdc)2(imH)2]n (1) and [Cu3(5-nbdc)2(OH)2(imH)2]n (2) (5-nbdcH2 = 5-nitro-1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid and imH = imidazole) have been synthesized and structurally characterised. Complex 2, a molecular ladder consisting of the linear trinuclear copper (II) subunits and featuring the mixed μ-hydroxo and μ-carboxylato bridges, indicated a strong intra-trimer antiferromagnetic coupling (J/k = −43.8 K) and a weak inter-trimer antiferromagnetic coupling (J′/k = −2.5 K) with the corresponding g value 2.011.