A new Cr(III)–Ni(II) cyano-bridged molecule-based magnet: [Ni(ampy)2]3[Cr(CN)6]2·6H2O (ampy=2-aminomethylpyridine)

The reaction between trans-[Ni(ampy)2(NO3)2] (ampy=2-aminomethylpyridine) and K3[Cr(CN)6]·2H2O affords a cyano-bridged bimetallic system, [Ni(ampy)2]3[Cr(CN)6]2·6H2O (1), which has been characterized by elemental chemical analysis, FTIR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. According to the UV–Vis spectral data, both Ni(II) and Cr(III) ions are hexacoordinated. The magnetic studies (susceptibility and magnetization measurements) of compound 1 indicate the occurrence of the long-range ferromagnetic order. Compound 1 is a soft magnet with Tc=16 K and a coercive field Hc=170 Oe.